THE  LIFE  AND  SERVICES 


Major-General  H.  W.  Slocum 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/lifeservicesofma01sloc 


THE  LIFE  AND  SERVICES 
OF  MAJOR-GENERAL 
HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


Other  Books  by  Dr.  Charles  E.  Slocum 


History  of  the  Maumee  River  Basin:  A region  of  about 
6,500  square  miles  in  area,  with  nine  rivers,  interesting  geology, 
glaciology,  and  early  animals  including  peoples.  It  was  the  pre- 
historic, and  early  historic,  route  from  the  Great  Lakes  to  the 
Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers.  It  contains  the  thriving  cities  of 
Toledo,  Lima,  Findlay,  and  Defiance  in  Ohio;  Fort  Wayne,  De- 
catur, Auburn,  and  xkngola,  in  Indiana;  Hillsdale  and  others  in 
southeastern  Michigan.  It  embraces  great  historic,  climatic,  agri- 
cultural and  business  regions,  including  the  petroleum  and  natural 
gas  districts.  Imperial  Svo,  688  pages.  Illustrated  with  maps, 
prehistoric  and  pioneer  articles  of  war  and  peace,  forts,  rivers, 
landscapes,  and  cities.  Price,  $5.00  net.  Postage  36  cents. 

The  Ohio  Country,  Embracing  the  Old  Northwestern  and 
Southwestern  Territories,  Between  the  Years  1783-1815; 
Including  the  Military  Operations  that  Twice,  at  least,  Saved  to 
the  United  States  the  Country  West  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains 
After  the  Revolutionary  War.  Of  great  interest  to  every  Ameri- 
can citizen.  Svo.  Price  $2.00  net.  Postage  20  cents. 

About  Tobacco  and  Its  Deleterious  Effects.  A Book  for 
Everybody,  Tobacco-Users  and  Non-Users.  ‘Ladies  should 
read  it. 7 Small  Svo.  Price  $1.00. 

History  of  Frances  Slocum,  Sixty-five  Years  Captive  with 
Delaware  and  Miami  Aborigines.  A study  of  Civilized  Hered- 
ity Against  Savage  and  Later  Barbarous  Environment.  Tliirt  8vo. 
Well  illustrated.  Price  $2.50.  Postage  10  cents. 

History  cf  the  Slocums.  Slocumbs,  and  Slocombs,  of 
America,  Genealogical,  Biographical,  Marriages  and  Descendants 
in  Both  Male  and  Female  Lines  „ From  A.  D.  1637  to  1908.  Two 
volumes  8vo;  Vol.  1,  644  pages  published  in  1882;  Yol.  II,  559 
pages  additional  to  Yol.  1,  published  in  1908.  Both  well  ilus- 
trated.  The  value  of  such  authentic  books  as  these  increases  as 
the  years  go  by.  Price  sent  on  request. 

The  Great  Fictions  Abroad  in  the  World,  and  Their 
Harmful  Effects  on  the  Advancement  of  Civilization.  Small 
Svo.  Price  $2.00  net. 


Address  THE  SLOCUM  PUBLISHING  CO.,  Toledo,  Ohio 


THE 


LIFE  AND  SERVICES 

OF 

MAJOR-GENERAL 

Henry  Warner  Slocum 


OFFICER  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  ARMY;  IN  THE 
AMERICAN  CIVIL  WAR  IN  DIFFERENT  MILITARY  CAMPAIGNS 
COMMANDER  OF  ARMY  CORPS;  COMMANDER  OF  ARMIES 
COMMANDER  OF  DISTRICT;  COMMANDER  OF 
DEPARTMENT;  STATE  AND  NATIONAL 
LEGISLATOR;  CITIZEN 


By 

CHARLES  ELIHU  SLOCUM,  M.D.,  Ph.D.,  LL.D. 

MEMBER  OF  LOCAL,  OHIO  STATE,  AND  NEW  YORK 
HISTORICAL  SOCIETIES;  OF  THE  NEW  ENGLAND  HISTORIC 
GENEALOGICAL  SOCIETY;  AND  OF  THE  AMERICAN 
HISTORICAL  ASSOCIATION 

c 


Stay  AND  Fight  IT  Out — General  Slocum’s  Injunction  to  the  Council  of  War 
in  the  Dark  Hour  of  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg 


Toledo,  Ohio 

THE  SLOCUM  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 
1913 


7 * X 9 C, 


'o'b'b 

J\35  80  8S 


Whoever  copies  from  this  book 
should  give  honorable  credit  to  the  author 
for  whatever  is  copied  from  it. 


-jAs'jjr  /y  w 

-3w  . 

f1  z 3 

s (*  ? * s 

v-eAL  ICvAa/  • 

Wr 

TO  THE  NUMEROUS  POSTS  OF 

THE  GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC 

A SOCIETY  OF  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  SOLDIERS 
OF  THE  UNION  ARMIES  AND  NAVY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR  OF  1861-1865 
WHICH  HAS  CONTRIBUTED  LARGELY  TO  THE  UPLIFT 
OF  THE  SOCIAL  LIFE  OF  ITS  MEMBERS 
AS  WELL  AS  TO  THE  BROADENING  OF 
THEIR  PATRIOTIC  LOVE  OF  THEIR  COUNTRY 
THIS  BOOK  IS  DEDICATED 
BY  THE  AUTHOR 


v 


7 $ tr?  & 


I wish  for  humanity’s  sake  that  this  sad  war  could  be 
brought  to  a close.  While  laboring  to  make  it  successful,  I shall 
do  all  in  my  power  to  mitigate  its  horrors. — General  Slocum’s 
letter  to  his  ivife  November  7,  1864,  from  Atlanta,  eight  days  be- 
fore starting  on  the  memorable  March  to  the  Sea. 


VI 


CONTENTS 


Chapter  Page 

I.  Introductory  1 

II.  Lineage  4 

III.  Schooling  and  Early  Training  6 

IV.  In  the  United  States  Army.  Studies  Law 10 

V.  Volunteers  in  the  Civil  War.  At  Bull  Run 12 

VI.  A Brigadier  General.  His  Wound  Heals 16 

VII.  Transferred  to  the  Peninsular  Campaign 21 

VIII.  Ending  of  the  Peninsular  Campaign 25 

IX.  Letters.  Reports.  A Major-General  31 

X.  At  Alexandria.  Battle  of  Manassas  38 

XI.  Maryland  Campaign  and  Battles  43 

XII.  Supply  Delays.  Commands  XIIth  Army  Corps  ....  53 

XIII.  At  Harper’s  Ferry  and  in  Shenandoah  Valley...  59 

XIV.  Preparations  for  Chancellorsville  Campaign  ....  65 

XV.  Commands  Three  Army  Corps  to  Chancellorsville  73 

XVI.  Battle  of  Chancellorsville.  Reports 81 

XVII.  Beginning  of  the  Gettysburg  Campaign 93 

XVIII.  Beginning  of  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg 99 

XIX.  Council  of  War.  Confederates  Defeated  108 

XX.  The  Pursuit  of  the  Retreating  Enemy 116 

XXI.  The  Rappahannock.  New  York  Draft  Riots....  122 

XXII.  Gettysburg  Reports.  Letters.  Criticisms 127 

XXIII.  The  Rapidan.  Resignation.  To  Tennessee 137 

XXIV.  Guards  Against  the  Enemy’s  Cavalry  Raids 144 

XXV.  Much  Hard  Work  and  But  Little  Honor 148 

XXVI.  Battle  of  Wauhatchie  by  Slocum’s  Men 151 

XXVII.  Battle  Above  the  Clouds  by  Slocum’s  Men 157 

XXVIII.  The  Battle  Above  the  Clouds  Concluded 163 

XXIX.  Battles  of  Missionary  Ridge  and  Ringgold 169 

XXX.  Discipline.  Guerrillas.  Reinlisting  Veterans...  176 

XXXI.  Social  Amenities.  Goes  to  Vicksburg 181 

XXXII.  Commands  Vicksburg.  General  Orders _...  188 

XXXIII.  Thorough  Work  at  Vicksburg.  Harassments.  . . . 193 

XXXIV.  To  the  Atlanta  Campaign.  Enters  Atlanta 201 

XXXV.  Holds  Atlanta.  Development  of  the  Great  March  207 

XXXVI.  Prepares  to  Sever  all  Union  Communications 216 

XXXVII.  Annoyances.  The  Army  of  Georgia  by  Regiments.  221 

XXXVIII.  The  March  to  the  Capitol  of  Georgia s 225 

XXXIX.  The  March  to  the  Sea  at  Savannah 231 

XL.  The  Enemy  Escapes  Sherman.  Slocum  Enters  City  238 

XLI.  General  Slocum  Occupies  Savannah.  Reports 244 

XLII.  Beginning  of  the  South  Carolina  Campaign 254 

XLIII.  Captures  Fayetteville.  Again  the  Sea 261 

vij 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCTJM 


viii 


Chapter  Page 

XL1V.  Battle  of  Averysboro,  North  Carolina 269 

XLV.  Hard  Beset  at  Bentonville.  Three  to  One 274 

XLVI.  Last  Chance  of  the  Confederacy  Conquered 281 

XL VII.  Battle  of  Bentonville  Concluded.  Reports 28S 

XLVIII.  The  Confederate  Armies  Surrender.  War  Ended..  305 
XLIX.  Triumphal  March  to  Washington.  Farewell....  311 

L.  Commands  Department  of  Mississippi.  Resigns  . . 322 

LI.  Besides  in  Brooklyn.  Letters.  Goes  to  Congress  331 
LII.  Civil  and  Social  Services.  Business  Successes...  337 

LIII.  Decease.  Private  and  Public  Testimonials 344 

LIV.  Public  Memorials  on  Land  and  Sea 360 

Appendix.  List  of  References 377 

His  Soldiers  by  States,  Regiments  and  Batteries  380 

ILLUSTRATIONS 


Portrait  at  the  Close  of  Peninsular  Campaign,  Aged  36  Years  ....  41 

Map  of  First  and  Second  Confederate  Invasions  44 

Monuments  at  Crest  of  Crampton's  Pass,  Maryland, 4S 

Army  Corps  Badges 70,  72,  74,  136,  162,  187,220,  280,  376 

Battle-field  of  Chancellorsville,  Fredericksburg,  Rivers 7S 

Battle-field  of  Gettysburg,  Forty-eight  Tears  After 103 

View  in  Gettysburg  Battlefield,  Thirty-nine  Years  After 114 

Battle-field  of  Wauhatchie  and  Lookout  Mountain 1-60 

Savannah,  and  Causeway  of  Enemy’s  Escape  240 

Night  March  in  the  Flood  and  Mud  of  South  Carolina 258 

Bridging  Over  and  Corduroying  Under  North  Carolina  Flood.  . . . 267 

Battle-field  of  Bentonville,  North  Carolina 285 

Sherman,  Slocum,  Howard,  and  Their  Chief  Helpers 320 

Portrait  About  Close  of  ITis  Military  Services 330 

Portrait  as  Congressman  at  the  Age  of  Fifty-six  Years  339 

Equestrian  Statue  at  Gettysburg.  1902  114,  364 

Equestrian  Statue  in  Brooklyn  Boro,  New  York 373 

Portrait  of  the  Author  xii 


PREFACE 


IX 


This  book  is  given  to  events  surrounding,  and  centering  in, 
one  prominent  actor  in  the  Great  Civil  War  of  1861-1865  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  with  mention  of  other  actors  and 
events  closely  associated  with  the  subject  actor  for  the  side 
lights  thus  cast  on  the  subject  for  the  rounding  of  the  record. 

It  has  been  the  desire  of  the  writer  to  keep  each  page  clear 
in  its  record  of  men  and  events,  and  not  to  forget  that  the  detail 
belongs  to  the  principal  subject.  It  is  thought  best  to  incline  to 
some  details  that  may  be  thought  unnecessary  by  those  readers 
fully  informed,  rather  than  to  have  the  average  reader  miss  too 
much  that  he  would  like  to  know.  Irrelevant  questions  have 
been  avoided. 

More  than  a generation  in  time  has  passed  since  the  close 
of  the  great  internal  strife  of  four  years  duration  treated  of  in 
this  book;  and  it  is  hoped,  from  the  importance  of  the  subject, 
that  the  record  of  the  details  of  the  army  life  and  its  great 
trials  presented  herein  may  be  of  interest  to  every  reader. 
The  work  is  based  upon  the  Official  Records,  on  correspondence, 
and  other  material  placed  in  the  writer’s  hands  by  the  immedi- 
ate family  of  the  subject  actor. 

This  Great  Civil  War  originated  from  the  legislative  acts 
of  secession  of  eleven  Southern  slaveholding  States  from  their 
original  Union  with  the  Northern  States ; from  the  organizing 
of  a separate  government  by  the  former  called  the  Confederate 
States  of  America;  the  seizure  by  it  of  all  the  forts,  arsenals, 
navy  yards,  and  other  United  States  property  within  the  limits 
of  this  new  would-be  government  that  was  readily  turned  over 
to  it  by  sympathizing  friends  in  charge  of  them ; and  from 
overt  acts  of  war  against  the  United  States  control  of  Union 
property  in  the  Southern  States  not  promptly  surrendered  to 
those  in  sympathy  with  tha  Confederate  States  government  then 
being  organized. 

The  Army  of  the  United  States  had  always  been  small. 
Most  members  of  it  who  had  been  recruited  in  the  South,  re- 
mained there,  as  did  most  of  the  Southern  officers,  graduates 


X 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


of  the  United  States  Military  and  Naval  Academies.  Such  of- 
ficers in  the  North  and  South,  with  the  former  recruits,  formed 
only  small  nuclei  of  the  contesting  armies  that  were  soon  gath- 
ered with  war  intent,  particularly  in  the  South. 

Nearly  all  members  of  the  large  armies,  gathered  by  hun- 
dreds of  thousands  North  and  South  for  this  fratricidal  Avar, 
were  at  first  short  time  volunteers,  scarcely  any  one  of  whom 
Avas  fairly  well  disciplined  when  his  term  of  enlistment  expired, 
the  officers  of  each  government  thinking  that  the  war,  if  any 
there  Avas,  would  be  of  short  duration.  Many  of  these  short 
term  soldiers,  hoAvever,  reinlisted  for  longer  service,  and  they 
became  veterans  of  unexcelled  worth. 

It  has  not  been  the  intention,  or  the  desire,  of  the  writer  to 
produce  a complete  history  or  account  of  any  battle  mentioned 
in  this  book,  and  much  less  a continuous  record  of  the  great  war. 
No  such  complete  A\rork  has  been  accomplished.  The  most  the 
Avriter  hopes  to  do,  is  to  sIioav  the  part  enacted  by  his  subject 
actor  in  daily  detail,  after  recording  his  basis  for  heritage 
through  many  American  generations,  his  early  ambitions,  op- 
portunities, and  struggles,  all  contributing  to  the  formation  of 
an  upright  stable  character  of  the  poor  American  boy,  Avhose 
Avatchfulness  for  and  the  embracing  of  opportunities  for  his  bet- 
terment, and  Avhose  thoughtful  and  unfaltering  devotion  to  duty, 
and  to  his  country,  eventually  enrolled  his  name  high,  and  in- 
delibly, upon  his  country’s  Roll  of  Honor  as  a Union  officer  of 
the  most  trustAvorthy  and  successful  class  in  the  great  conflict 
knoAAm  as  the  great  Civil  War  in  America. 

From  this  recounting  of  the  experiences  and  services  of 
Henry  Warner  Slocum  day  by  day  during  his  ever  broadening 
career — in  his  actual  military  life  beginning  as  a second  lieuten- 
ant of  artillery,  and  ending  as  the  commanding  general  of  an 
army  numbering  many  thousands  of  men,  engaged  in  many 
close  and  bloody  battles,  all  without  a single  defeat,  and  even 
without  the  permanent  loss  of  a cannon  or  flag  and,  later  as.  the 
Union  commander  of  a military  department  in  the  conquered 
Southern  States,  where  great  discretion  and  executive  ability 
were  necessary— it  is  hoped  that  the  reader  may  get  glimpses 


PREFACE 


xi 


of  all  phases  of  his  civil  and  military  life ; and  thus  be  able  to 
note  corrections  of  many  of  the  omissions  of  most  writers  on 
the  Civil  War,  and  get  correct  views  of  his  just  rights  to  be  re- 
corded among  the  foremost  of  those  most  worthy  of  remem- 
brance. The  reader  may,  also,  here  get  account  of  the  war  in 
much  of  its  stern  realities;  and,  withal,  may  have  the  oppor- 
tunity for  noting  the  causes  why  the  many  failed,  and  the  few 
attained  great  success. 

Charles  Elihu  Slocum. 

Toledo,  Ohio. 


DR.  CHARLES  ELIHU  SLOCUM 
The  Author 


CHAPTER  I 
Introductory 

Tlie  Slocums  in  America  date  from  the  year  1637.  From 
the  year  1656  or  before  they  were  reared  according  to  the  tenets 
of  the  religious  Society  of  Friends,  ‘in  scorn  called  Quakers,’ 
until  removal  from  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  westward, 
beginning  about  the  year  1775,  separated  different  families  from 
the  church  society  of  their  fathers.  The  families  so  separated 
united  with  the  church  in  their  new  locality  which  was  thought 
by  them  nearest  in  belief  to  that  of  the  Friends,  opposition  to 
war  and  all  strife  being  a principal  feature  of  their  desire. 

Notwithstanding  this  careful  rearing  by  precept  and  exam- 
ple, numbers  of  young  men,  and  some  older  ones,  in  New  Eng- 
land and  westward  were  carried  away  from  the  desires  and 
teaching's  of  their  parents  by  an  awakened  spirit  of  loyalty  to 
their  country,  and  they  enlisted  in  the  Revolutionary  War  of 
1775-1783.  General  Nathaniel  Greene,  second  only  to  Washing- 
ton in  command,  was  the  most  notable  instance  of  Slocum  blood 
in  that  war.1  Other  instances  show  as  many  as  three  sons  of  a 
prominent  Friend’s  family  enlisting,  two  of  whom  saw  much 
army  service,  and  both  rose  from  the  ranks  to  the  commission 
of  captain.  The  older  of  these  two,  Edward,  was  a charter  mem- 
ber of  the  revolutionary  officers’  Society  of  the  Cincinnati, 
which  yet  exists  by  membership  succession  of  the  eldest  male 
lineal  descendant  in  each  generation.  But  in  Edward’s  line  no 
one  has  thus  far  applied  for  membership.  Edward’s  brother 
Ebenezer’s  service  was  both  on  land  and  sea  and  continued 
through  the  War  of  1812. 2 Another  instance  yet  more  interest- 
ing, to  the  writer  particularly,  is  that  of  Eleazer  Slocum  and 
Caleb  Wright,  Friends  and  great-grandparents  of  the  writer, 
who  took  with  them  the  first  son  and  nephew,  Joseph  Slocum, 
grandfather  of  the  writer,  then  very  young  in  years  but  large 
of  stature,  and  the  three  enlisted  in  the  Thirteenth  New  York 
Regiment  to  aid  in  saving  their  homes  from  desecration  by  the 
English  General  Burgoyne’s  army,  which  was  marching  down 
from  Canada — and  the  three  fought  to  the  capture  of  this 
British  army  at  Saratoga  in  October,  1777,  freely  volunteering 


2 


HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


of  tlieir  substance  and  their  service,  to  the  changing  of  the  tide 
of  war  against  the  British  invaders.  Of  this  action  they  made 
no  boast ; neither  did  they  tell  the  story  to  their  descendants ; 
the  writer’s  father,  Captain  Caleb  Wright  Slocum,  did  not  know 
of  it,  and  the  writer  learned  of  it  only  from  the  New  York  State 
Records.3 

The  Society  of  Friends  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  re- 
sults of  the  Reformation  in  England.  Americans  are  indebted 
to  this  Society  for  religious  liberty  to  a far  greater  degree  than 
for  political  liberty.  Its  members  well  deserve  the  name  of  the 
Protestants  of  the  Pilgrims  in  New  Plymouth,  and  particularly 
of  the  Puritans  in  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  in  New 
England.  They  would  not  pay  tithes,  nor  anything,  for  the  pe- 
cuniary support  of  any  church  other  than  their  own.  They  were 
willing,  however,  to  concede  to  all  others  the  same  right  to  the 
liberty  they  desired  for  themselves.  They  were  a noble  band  of 
men  and  women,  very  generally  of  wholesome  minds  and  charac- 
ters, who  won,  in  principle  and  fact,  religious  liberty  by  pa- 
tiently suffering  imprisonment,  savage  mutilations,  and  even 
death,  from  the  authorities  of  the  Colonial  Church  desiring  the 
name  ‘established’  in  New  England.  To  the  great  principles 
of  their  well  founded  religious  belief  they  remained  firm,  while 
quietly  enduring  all  persecutions  without  resentment,  until  they 
were  formally  released  from  persecution  by  the  Declaration  of 
Indulgence  issued  in  April,  1687,  by  King  James  II.  of  England. 

The  Friends  were  very  methodical,  full  and  accurate  in 
keeping  the  records  of  their  different  meetings,  and  of  their  vital 
statistics.  Fortunate  indeed  is  the  genealogist  who  has  such 
wealth  of  resource  from  which  to  draw  for  his  American  data, 
of  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth  centuries  particularly. 

The  name  Slocum  has  been  well  represented  in  every  promi- 
nent war  of  the  United  States.  In  the  great  Civil  War,  1861- 
1865,  the  number  of  Slocums  engaged  was  relatively  large  from 
its  beginning  to  its  ending — different  families  contributing 
three,  four,  and  even  five,  volunteers — and  their  patriotism  and 
valor  were  thoroughly  tested,  and  found  not  wanting.  The  large 
number  who  gave  up  their  lives  on  the  battle-fields  for  their 
country  during  this  vrar,  are  recorded  in  the  United  States  Roll 
of  Honor;4  and  the  numerous  others  who  died  later  of  wounds 


INTRODUCTORY 


3 


and  disabilities  received  in  this  war  lie  buried  at  their  several 
homes  scattered  throughout  the  States  of  the  preserved  Union. 

Among  this  large  number  suffering  death  early  in  the  war 
there  were  several  who,  undoubtedly,  would  have  risen  to  high 
command  had  their  lives  been  spared.  Of  this  number  but  two 
will  be  mentioned  here. 

First.  John  Stanton  Slocum,  Colonel  of  the  Second  Rhode 
Island  Regiment  of  Volunteer  Infantry,  was  killed  in  the  First 
Battle  of  Bull  Run,  at  Sudley  Ford,  Virginia,  July  21,  1861.  He 
was  a cultured  officer  of  good  judgment,  great  energy  and  cool- 
ness in  danger.  His  regiment  was  hard  pressed  by  superior 
numbers  of  the  enemy,  but  it  bravely  and  steadily  held  its 
ground,  even  beating  back  its  foe,  until  their  heroic  Colonel  fell 
mortally  wounded.  He  was  Major  of  Colonel  Ambrose  E.  Burn- 
side’s First  Rhode  Island  Infantry  Regiment  until  the  Second 
Regiment  was  organized,  when  he  was  chosen  its  Colonel. 
Colonel  (afterwards  General)  Burnside  reported  of  him  in  high 
terms.5  He  served  with  distinction  as  an  officer  in  the  Mexican 
War,  1846-1848;  and  his  monument  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island, 
proudly  bears  the  words  Contreras,  Cherubusco,  Chepultepec  and 
Sudley  Ford.6  It  was  in  honor  of  the  memory  of  Colonel  John 
Stanton  Slocum  that  one  of  the  strongest  defenses  of  Washing- 
ton, District  of  Columbia,  during  the  Civil  WTar,  was  named 
Fort  Slocum.7  It  was  situated  about  a mile  north  of  the  Sol- 
diers’ Home  in  Washington. 

Second.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Paul  Enos  Slocum  was  born  in 
Steuben  County,  New  York,  and  resided  in  Indiana  from  the 
age  of  nineteen  years.  He  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Fourteenth 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry;  was  commissioned  Lieu- 
tenant and  went  with  his  company  into  Virginia  in  May,  1861. 
After  participating  in  several  skirmishes  he  was  shot  through 
the  right  thigh  in  the  Battle  of  Winchester  May  25,  1862,  the 
ball  shattering  the  bone  five  inches  below  the  hip  joint.  He  made 
fairly  good  recovery,  was  commissioned  Major  of  the  Eighty- 
second  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  was  assigned  to  General  Don  C. 
Buell’s  commend.  After  being  in  several  engagements  with  the 
enemy,  including  the  Battle  of  Stone’s  River,  Tennessee,  he  was 
commissioned  Lieutenant-Colonel.  He  served  thus  in  the  battles 
of  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain,  and  in  the  pursuit  of  the 


HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


4 

enemy.  February  25,  1864,  while  in  command  of  two  regiments, 
the  Eighty-second  Indiana  and  the  Eighty-ninth  Ohio,  in  the 
battle  near  Tunnell  Hill,  Geox-gia,  he  received  a mortal  wound 
through  his  left  breast  while  passing  along  his  line,  encouraging 
his  men.8  tie  died  March  3,  1864,  at  Chattanooga. 

Of  the  other  Slocum  officers  in  the  Civil  War,  the  one  nest 
in  rank  to  Major-General  Henry  W.  Slocum,  was  Willard 
Slocum,  a prominent  attorney  at  Ashland,  Ohio.  He  volunteered 
early  for  army  service,  was  retained  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  as  re- 
cruiting, disciplining,  and  assignment  officer.  He  was  success- 
ful in  this  work,  and  was  urged  to  continue  it ; but  he  went  to 
the  front  with  a regiment  and,  for  bravery  displayed  in  the 
field,  particularly  in  the  unfortunate  Red  River  Campaign  in 
Louisiana,  he  was  commissioned  Brigadier-General.0  He  died  at 
his  home  in  Ashland,  Ohio,  September  23,  1894. 


CHAPTER  II 
Lineage 

Major-General  Henry  Warner  Slocum  was  in  the  eighth 
American  generation  of  Slocums,  six  generations  of  whom  were 
born  members  of  the  religious  Society  of  Friends. 

His  lineage  runs  back  as  follows : Seventh,  Matthew  Bar- 
nard Slocum  married  Mary  Ostrander;  sixth,  Benjamin  married 
Elizabeth  Coggeshall;  fifth,  John  married  Martha  Tillinghast ; 
fourth,  Benjamin  married  Meribali  Earl ; third,  Eleazer  mar- 
ried Elepliel  Fitzgerald;  second,  Giles  married  Joan ; 

first,  Anthony  married  twice,  names  of  wives  not  ascertained  up 
to  this  time. 

Anthony  Slocombe,  the  first  American  ancestor  in  this  line, 
was  born  near  Taunton,  Somersetshire,  England,  A.  I).  1590. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  proprietors  and  settlers  of  Taunton,  New 
Plymouth,  now  Massachusetts,  in  the  year  1637,  and  here  the 
first  clerk  wrote  his  surname  from  sound  as  Slocum,10  which 
form  has  since  prevailed  with  his  descendants  in  the  Northern 
States.  Anthony  was  chosen  to  several  offices  in  the  new  set- 
tlement, and  he  was  most  active  in  developing  at  Taunton  the 
first  permanent  iron  works  in  America,  using  the  bog  iron  ore 


LINEAGE 


5 


found  in  the  vicinity.  After  residing  at  Taunton  twenty-five 
years  as  a freeman,  and  as  a successful  and  leading  though  quiet 
citizen,  he  sold  his  holdings  there,  and  went  to  the  Albemarle 
region,  Carolina,  as  a Lord  Deputy  Proprietor  to  aid  his  boyhood 
friend,  the  Duke  of  Albemarle,  in  the  settlement  of,  and  the 
establishment  of  government  in,  the  Carolina  Grant.  He  died 
at  Edenton,  North  Carolina,  aged  one  hundred  years,  having 
been  a stanch  American  pioneer  colonist  in  a double  sense.11 

General  Slocum’s  other  ancestors  were  industrious,  thrifty, 
and  good  citizens,  generally  rising  to  considerable  prominence  in 
their  communities. 

Matthew  Barnard  Slocum,  the  father  of  the  General,  our 
subject,  was  the  second  child  and  first  of  four  sons  in  a family  of 
eight  children.  He  was  born  in  Marietta,  Ohio,  in  1788,  and 
was  reared  from  the  year  1802  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island.  In  his 
early  manhood  he  went  to  Albany,  New  York,  and  there  engaged 
as  clerk  in  a general  merchandising  business  of  small  capital ; 
and  it  appears  that  he  invested  part  of  his  earnings  in  the 
business.  He  married  here,  April  9,  1814,  Mary,  daughter  of 
John  Ostrander.  The  business  in  which  he  was  employed  not 
proving  profitable,  it  was  closed  in  1817,  and  later  this  year  he 
moved  his  wife  and  two  children  to  the  small  hamlet  of  Delphi, 
Onondaga  County,  near  the  center  of  New  York  State.  Here  he 
reared  a large  family,  and  completed  his  life  work  as  a retail 
general  merchant,  using  a room  for  his  merchandise  on  one  of 
the  corners  of  the  crossing  of  two  country  roads  which  formed 
the  streets  of  the  hamlet.  His  dwelling  was  attached  to  the  rear 
of  his  business  room.  Later  he  purchased  between  ten  and  fif- 
teen acres  of  land,  embracing  his  residence  and  business  room, 
wdiich  gave  him  facilities  for  keeping  a horse,  cow,  and  the 
smaller  animals  then  deemed  necessary  for  his  business  and 
rapidly  increasing  family.  He  died  August  11,  1853,  while  visit- 
ing his  son  George  at  Scottsville,  New  York.  He  was  interred  at 
Delphi.  His  widow  died  October  31,  1865,  in  Syracuse,  a few 
miles  from  Delphi,  where  she  was  interred. 

The  children  of  Matthew  Barnard  Slocum  numbered  eleven. 
Two  of  the  sis  sons  enlisted  in  the  Civil  War.  John  Ostrander 
Slocum,  the  second  son  and  third  child,  was  born  June  9,  1820. 
He  studied  medicine  and  surgery  and  was  graduated  at  Castle- 


6 


HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


ton,  Vermont,  Medical  College  in  1847.  lie  enlisted  in  the  Civil 
War  as  assistant  surgeon  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
second  Regiment  of  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  August,  1862.  The 
next  year  he  was  commissioned  Surgeon  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-first  New  York,  and  remained  with  this  regiment  until 
the  close  of  the  war  in  1865,  excepting  occasional  detailings  for 
service  in  the  Divisional  Hospital.  At  the  Battle  of  Rappahan- 
nock Station,  Virginia,  he  was  the  only  surgeon  at  hand,  and  the 
untiring  manner  in  which  he  eared  for  the  wounded  won  for  him 
the  commission  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  by  brevet.  The  last  year 
of  the  war  his  rank  was  that  of  Brigade  Surgeon.  His  was  a very 
sensitive  nature,  with  high  regard  for  honest  duty.  Returning 
home  at  the  close  of  the  war  he  completed  his  life  work  as  a 
general  physician  and  surgeon  with  residence  and  office  at  the 
Village  of  Camillus,  Onondaga  County,  New  York. 


CHAPTER  III 

Henry’s  Schooling  and  Early  Training 
Henry  Warner  Slocum,  our  subject,  was  named  in  honor  of 
a favorite  uncle  by  marriage.  He  was  the  sixth  child  and  the 
fifth  of  six  sons  in  a family  of  eleven  children.  He  was  born 
September  24,  1826,  and  was  reared  in  the  family  rooms  adjoin- 
ing his  father’s  small  general  merchandizing  room.  In  common 
with  all  other  children  in  the  school  district,  he  was  sent  to  the 
Delphi  Public  School,  at  first  only  during  the  summer  terms  of 
three  months  each  and,  later,  to  the  winter  terms  of  the  same 
length. 

The  average  teachers  of  these  short  session  schools  soon 
failed  to  interest  him,  and  his  active  mind  found  more  congenial 
work  in  helping  in  his  father’s  business.  He  was  anxious  to  do 
more,  and  his  father  soon  permitted  him  to  earn  money  for  his 
clothing,  and  for  accumulation,  in  other  ivork  and  ways  during 
the  odd  moments  when  not  needed  in  the  home  business — and 
this  proved  of  great  aid  to  his  father,  who  was  often  hard  pressed 
for  money  to  maintain  his  large  family  with  his  small  income. 
Henry  bought  sheep,  a few  at  a time,  paying  for  their  keeping  by 
a percentage  of  their  increase  and  wool.  He  was  thoughtful, 


EDUCATIONAL  ADVANTAGES 


energetic  and  successful  in  small  degrees  in  other  ways  of  earn- 
ing money  until  his  brothers  and  other  young  friends  called  him 
Speculator,  'Spec’  for  short,  after  the  all-too-common  way  of 
teasing  or  badgering  people.  His  brother  William,  a little  more 
than  two  years  younger,  expended  the  little  money  he  obtained 
for  a dictionary,  and  he  soon  became  the  definition  oracle  of 
the  family,  and  school,  he  receiving  the  nickname  ‘Die’  on  that 
account,12  and  Henry  profited  in  knowledge  thereby. 

A new  teacher  in  the  winter  term  of  the  public  school,  a Mr. 
Belding,  found  in  Henry  an  apt  pupil,  and  he  soon  won  a place 
at  the  head  of  his  classes  in  arithmetic,  algebra,  geometry  and 
other  studies,  in  quick  succession. 

An  incident  exhibiting  Henry’s  thoughtfulness  and  leader- 
ship among  his  associates  about  this  time,  also  communicated  to 
the  writer  by  his  brother  William,  will  be  here  mentioned : In 
the  early  part  of  summer  about  a dozen  boys  near  his  own  age 
united  with  him  in  the  purchase  of  a cheap  two-pounder  cannon 
to  aid  in  celebrating  the  Fourth  of  July,  particularly.  Much 
enjoyment  was  obtained  from  it  the  next  Fourth  without  serious 
harm  resulting.  The  gun  was  then  given  to  the  care  of  one  of 
the  company  for  safe-keeping  until  it  was  wanted  for  another 
celebration.  In  the  meanwhile  this  caretaker’s  parents  took  resi- 
dence in  Woodstock,  Madison  County,  about  five  miles  southeast 
of  Delphi;  and  the  custodian  carried  to  the  neighboring,  and 
competing,  village  the  Delphi  gun  without  permission  of  its 
owners.  The  abstraction  of  the  gun  caused  great  commotion 
among  the  Delphi  boys,  and  the  voice  was  generally  favorable 
for  a march  to  Woodstock  for  the  purpose  of  capturing  the  gun 
by  force.  Young  Slocum,  who  had  been  reading  the  Life  of  Na- 
poleon, opposed  such  movement  as  most  likely  to  cause  a rally- 
ing not  only  of  the  Woodstock  boys  but  of  their  older  friends 
also  in  overwhelming  numbers  to  defeat  the  capture.  He  would 
have  them  remain  cpiiet  until  they  could  devise  a plan  for  the 
capture  of  the  gun  by  strategy,  and  not  force.  His  suggestions 
were  favored  by  the  majority,  which  at  once  chose  him  as  leader 
for  the  work.  He  accordingly  appeared  in  Woodstock  July  3rd, 
and  overheard  the  plans  agreed  upon  for  the  sunrise  gun  to  open 
the  celebration  next  day.  He  returned  home  and  matured  his 
plans.  Before  the  time  for  firing  this  first  gun  the  next  morning, 


8 


HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


two  squads  of  Delphi  boys  and  a large  farm  wagon  with  a span 
of  horses  were  secreted  behind  a barn  in  Woodstock  near  the 
place  where  the  gun  was  to  be  fired.  Immediately  after  the 
firing  the  attention  of  the  gunners  and  onlookers  was  successfully 
attracted  by  a sham  fight  away  from  the  gun  by  one  squad  of 
the  would-be  captors,  while  the  other  squad  hurriedly  loaded  the 
gun  into  the  wagon  and  hurried  their  pace  with  it  back  to  Delphi, 
where  it  was  again  used  with  much  pleasure  by  its  rightful  own- 
ers. Another  year,  however,  as  has  been  experienced  in  numer- 
ous similar  cases,  this  gun  was  exploded  by  an  overload,  and 
the  person  nearest  it  was  killed. 

Young  Slocum’s  energy  and  thrift  continued  until  he  was 
able  to  attend  Cazenovia  Seminary,  in  the  adjoining  County  of 
Madison.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  was  thought  worthy  of 
a Public  School  Teacher’s  Certificate  by  the  County  Superin- 
tendent of  Schools.  A school  was  secured,  which  he  taught  with 
advantage  to  his  pupils  and  honor  to  himself.  He  continued 
teaching  at  intervals  for  about  five  years,  carefully  saving  his 
meager  receipts ; and  in  the  meantime  during  vacations  he  at- 
tended the  State  Normal  School  at  Albany  part  of  the  time,  when 
he  coidd  be  spared  by  his  father.  All  of  this  was  valuable  experi- 
ence to  him,  contributing  to  that  necessary  introspection  and 
rounding  of  character  that  have  given  many  thousands  of  Amer- 
ican youths  vantage  in  after  life. 

News  of  the  United  States’  claim  against  Mexico,  and  the 
declaration  of  war  with  that  country  in  1846,  particularly, 
brought  forcefully  to  the  notice  of  our  subject  the  names  of 
young  men,  educated  at  the  West  Point  Military  Academy,  who 
were  being  appointed  officers  in  the  different  commands  for  ser- 
vice in  this  war;  and,  having  been  stimulated  to  an  admiration 
of  historic  military  men  by  some  of  the  books  read,  the  desire  for 
education  at  West  Point  soon  assumed  definite  form  with  him. 
The  quiet,  unassuming  Quaker  spirit  of  his  father  was  without 
particular  political  influence,  however ; and  some  lengths  of  time 
elapsed  before  Henry’s  own  quiet  persistency  impressed  itself 
upon  Daniel  F.  Gott,  congressman  of  the  Onondaga,  New  York, 
district. 

It  was  the  happiest  day  of  his  life  thus  far  when  he  received 
notice  of  his  being  named  for  cadetship.  It  was  not  without 


E D UCATIONAL  ADVANTA GES 


9 


many  misgivings,  however,  that  he  presented  himself  at  tiie  West 
Point  Military  Academy  July  1,  1848,  with  his  certificate  of  ap- 
pointment. The  dreaded  entrance  examination  was  passed  favor- 
ably, and  he  entered  upon  the  course  successfully,  though  mod- 
estly according  to  his  nature. 

As  a cadet  he  suffered  uncomplainingly  whatever  of  hazing 
the  upper  classmen  were  disposed  to  subject  him  to;  which 
proved  to  be  infrequent  and  rather  mild.  He  won  the  respect  of 
all,  notwithstanding  his  free  expression  of  opinion  when  it  was 
desired  on  questions  of  the  time,  including  that  of  the  negative 
side  of  human  slavery  and  other  questions  allied  with  it  of  in- 
creasing concern  between  the  Northern  and  Southern  sections 
of  the  Republic,  and  which  were  often  brought  to  discussion  by 
the  strong  Southern  sentiment  then  pervading  the  Academy. 
His  frank  and  kindly  personality  deeply  impressed  itself  upon 
all  classmen.13 

During  his  military  course  at  West  Point  young  Slocum 
often  felt,  and  lamented,  his  want  of  the  broader  culture  pos- 
sessed by  many  of  his  fellow  students  who  had  experienced,  and 
were  constantly  experiencing,  the  advantages  of  a full  college 
course.  But  his  persistent  and  circumspect  efforts,  which  often 
compensate  for  a longer  course,  kept  him  well  toward  the  head 
of  his  class. 

His  ranking  the  first  year  was  quite  favorable  to  him,  the 
rating  being  twelve  in  mathematics,  forty  in  French,  and  nine  in 
English  studies.  In  the  order  of  general  merit  lie  ranked  four- 
teen in  a class  of  sixty.  His  demerit  marks  numbered  twenty- 
three  during  the  year,  while  those  of  numerous  students  were  in 
excess  of  this  number,  some  ranging  toward  two  hundred.  In 
the  conduct  roll  he  was  rated  sixty-five  in  the  entire  school  then 
numbering  two  hundred  and  eighteen.  His  second  year’s  ratings 
were,  eleven  in  mathematics,  thirty-four  in  French,  and  nine- 
teen in  drawing.  In  the  class  order  of  general  merit  he  stood 
thirteenth  in  the  class  numering  fifty-five,  with  no  demerits  dur- 
ing the  year.  In  order  merit  in  the  entire  school  he  ranked 
eleventh  among  two  hundred  and  twenty-one.  During  his  third 
year  he  was  rated  third  in  philosophy,  tenth  in  chemistry,  and 
fourteenth  in  drawing.  In  order  of  general  merit  his  rank  was 
third  in  a class  of  fifty-three.  This  standing  gave  him  the  honor 


10 


LI E U TENANT  H.  W.  SLOCUM 


of  being  number  three  of  the  five  most  distinguished  cadets,  to 
be  so  publicly  reported  at  the  annual  examination  and  in  the 
Register.  He  was  given  no  demerits  during  this  year.  In  the 
general  conduct  roll  he  ranked  number  eight  among  the  entire 
attendance  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-nine.  For  his  fourth,  and 
last,  year  he  was  rated  ninth  in  engineering,  sixth  in  ethics,  sixth 
in  mineralogy  and  geology,  fourteenth  in  infantry  tactics,  and 
sixth  in  artillery.  He  stood  seventh  in  the  order  of  general 
merit  in  the  class  of  forty-seven.  In  the  general  conduct  roll  he 
ranked  number  twenty  among  the  entire  school  of  two  hundred 
and  twenty-four.14 

General  Philip  II.  Sheridan  was  a classmate  of  Henry  W. 
Slocum  at  West  Point.  In  Ins  Memoirs,  written  after  iiis  great 
reputation  was  secure,  Sheridan  remembered  his  fellow  student 
in  the  following  terms : ‘ ‘ Good  fortune  gave  me  for  a room- 

mate a cadet  whose  education  wras  more  advanced  than  mine,  and 
whose  studious  habits  and  willingness  to  aid  others  benefited  me 
immensely.  This  room-mate  was  Plenry  W.  Slocum,  since  so 
signally  distinguished  in  both  military  and  civil  capacities  as  to 
win  for  his  name  a proud  place. in  the  annals  of  his  country.” 


CHAPTER  IV 

In  tiie  United  States  Army.  Studies  Law 

Henry  Warner  Slocum  was  graduated  at  the  United  States 
Military  Academy  in  June,  1852.  He  was  at  once  commis- 
sioned Second  Lieutenant  and  assigned  for  service  in  the  First 
United  States  Artillery,  which  was  soon  ordered  to  Florida  to 
maintain  the  peace  of  the  yet  disquieted  Seminole  Aborigines. 
In  the  latter  part  of  1853  his  company  was  ordered  to  Fort 
Moultrie,  South  Carolina. 

Obtaining  a short  furlough,  Lieutenant  Slocum  returned 
home  and,  February  9,  1854,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Clara, 
daughter  of  Israel  and  Dorcas  (Jenkins)  Rice  of  Woodstock, 
New  York,  with  whom  acquaintance  began  while  both  the  young 
people  -were  students  at  Cazenovia  Seminary.  He  returned  in 
due  time  to  his  post  of  duty  accompanied  by  his  wife. 


IN  TEE  EXITED  STATES  ARMY 


11 


At  Fort  Moultrie,  with  abundant  leisure  from  garrison  duty, 
the  enticing  opportunities  for  boating,  fishing,  hunting,  and  thq 

attractions  of  Charleston  society,  together  with  a variety  of  post 

» 

duties,  the  time  passed  rapidly  and  pleasantly  for  a time.  But 
Lieutenant  Slocum  could  not  remain  long  satisfied  with  so  little 
of  work  and  so  much  of  pleasure.  He  decided  to  devote  a con- 
siderable part  of  this  time  outside  of  his  military  duties  to  the 
study  of  law.  Fortunately  he  secured  the  good  services  of  Hon- 
orable B.  C.  Presley  of  Charleston  as  preceptor,  -who  was  as 
much  pleased  with  his  student  as  was  the  Lieutenant  with  his 
teacher,  a cultured,  progressive  man,  who  was  later  called  to 
the  South  Carolina  Supreme  Court  as  judge.  Lieutenant  Slocum 
entered  upon  the  new  study  with  a zest  that  promised  good  suc- 
cess to  all  persons  knowing  his  enduring  qualities.  In  the  mean- 
time his  military  duties  were  fully  performed. 

Our  subject  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  March  3, 
1855,  and  he  was  continued  in  the  First  United  States  Artillery 
service.  For  some  length  of  time  previous  to  receiving  this  pro- 
motion Lieutenant  Slocum  had  been  considering  the  question  of 
resigning  from  the  army.  His  advancement  in  rank,  while  not 
changing  his  mind,  delayed  his  action  for  the  important  change 
of  profession. 

The  summer  of  1855  was  unusually  warm.  His  family — a 
daughter,  Caroline,  had  been  born  meantime — were  ill  from  the 
heat  and  miasms;  and  the  better  health,  vigor,  and  business  of 
his  native  State  appealed  to  him  with  greater  force  than  ever 
before.  His  regiment  was  to  be  ordered  again  to  Florida.  There 
was  no  cloud  of  war  visible,  and  he  was  becoming  anxious  for 
more  useful  and  energetic  employment.  He  had  fully  recom- 
pensed the  general  government  for  his  military  education.  Oc- 
tober 20,  1856,  his  child  died  in  Charleston;  the  31st  of  the  same 
month  he  resigned  from  the  United  States  Army. 

Lieutenant  Slocum  returned  to  Onondaga  County,.  New 
York,  where  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  opened  office  in 
the  city  of  Syracuse,  and  soon  had  a good  clientele  in  the  prac- 
tice of  law.  He  now  saw  even  greater  cause  for  thankfulness 
for  the  habit  of  economy  and  thrift  which  was  well  formed  in 
his  youthful  days.  From  care  regarding  clothing  and  expendi- 
tures, he  had  been  able  to  save  money  even  during  his  cadetship. 


12 


COLONEL  'll.  W.  SLOCUM 


1861 


and  he  was  thereby  able  to  aid  his  father  during  the  time  of  his 
poor  health,  and  business  depression.  During  the  four-and-a- 
tliird  years  of  his  army  service  he  had  saved  enough  from  his 
pay  receipts  to  pay  for  a modest  home  in  Syracuse,  also  to  pay 
for  a row  of  vacant  lots,  upon  which  he  built  residences  a few 
years  later.  The  Syracuse  authorities  named  the  street,  along 
which  these  lots  are  situated,  Slocum  Avenue  in  honor  of  the 
man  whose  thrift  and  energy  improved  this  part  of  the  city. 

Without  special  effort  on  his  part,  in  November,  1858,  our 
subject  was  elected  Assemblyman,  member  of  the  lower  house,  of 
the  New  York  State  Legislature,  from  Syracuse  on  the  Repub- 
lican ticket.  He  was  not  a politician  but  acted  regarding  each 
measure  or  law  brought  before  the  House  in  the  quiet,  consci- 
entious, and  thoughtful  way  now  become  habitual  with  him. 
Tor  two  years,  1859-1860,  he  answered  the  call,  and  served  his 
State  as  Instructor  of  Artillery  Service  to  the  Militia  with  the 
rank  of  Colonel. 

In  the  election  of  November,  1860,  his  friends  chose  him  for 
the  office  of  Treasurer  of  Onondaga  County  for  a term  of  three 
years.  He  entered  upon  this  important  duty  in  due  time.  His 
patriotism,  and  conscientious  recognition  of  a higher  duty,  how- 
ever, did  not  permit  him  to  serve  in  this  lucrative  and  peaceful 
office,  but  called  him,  propelled  him,  to  the  battle-field,  where 
life  itself  was  in  the  balance. 


CHAPTER  Y 

Volunteers  in  the  Civil  War.  At  Bull  Run 

Neither  local  office,  the  practice  of  law,  nor  even  the  love  of 
family  and  friends,  could  hold  Colonel  Slocum  at  home  when  his 
country  needed  his  services. 

When  South  Carolina,  after  the  ordinance  of  secession  from 
the  United  States,  opened  guns  upon  the  United  States  supply 
boat  Star  of  the  West  January  9,  1861,  and  particularly  when 
she  began  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter  in  Charleston  Har- 
bor April  12,  1861,  Colonel  Slocum’s  artillery  services,  and  his 
duty  to  his  country,  were  uppermost  in  his  thoughts.  He  went 
to  Albany  and,  calling  on  Governor  Edwin  D.  Morgan,  asked  for 


1861 


VOLUNTEERS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


13 


permission  to  recruit  a battery  of  light  artillery  for  United 
States  service,  from  the  good  offices  of  the  State  of  New  York. 
The  Governor  received  him  urbanely  and  listened  to  his  request 
with  interest,  but  seriously  sought  to  assure  him  that  the  rebel- 
lion of  the  South  could  be  subdued  without  the  use  of  artillery; 
and  declined  to  comply  with  his  request. 

A regiment  of  infantry  was  organized  in  Colonel  Slocum's 
native  county,  and  a friend  suggested  to  the  company  officers 
that  Colonel  Slocum  would  make  a desirable  leader.  A popular 
officer  of  the  militia,  however,  received  the  majority  of  the  votes 
for  the  position.  In  the  meantime  great  influence  was  at  work 
to  induce  him  to  remain  quietly  in  his  important  office  at  home. 

Another  regiment,  the  Twenty-seventh  New  York  Volunteer 
Infantry,  was  at  this  time  being  organized  at  Elmira,  a great 
rendezvous  of  volunteers.  The  companies  forming  this  regiment 
were  mainly  enlisted  in  the  counties  of  Broome,  Monroe,  and 
Livingston,  one  company  being  mostly  composed  of  students  of 
Lima  Seminary,  a prominent  Methodist  institution,  and  all  the 
other  companies  were  composed  of  like  choice  men.  The  sug- 
gestion of  one  officer  that  a West  Point  graduate  be  chosen  to 
lead  the  regiment  was  well  discussed,  and  prevailed  by  a large 
majority.  Although  known  only  by  reputation  to  most  of  this 
regiment,  Colonel  Slocum  Avas  chosen  on  account  of  his  ability 
shown  as  Instructor  of  the  Militia.  Upon  the  coming  of  the 
regiment’s  committee  with  its  message,  Colonel  Slocum  promptly 
accepted  the  proffered  position.  To  his  brave  AA'ife,  and  doubt- 
ing friends,  he  said,  “I  AA'as  educated  at  the  expense  of  our 
country  and  it  is  my  duty  to  ansAver  this  call  affirmatively.” 
Colonel  Slocum’s  third  United  States  commission  bore  the  date 
May  21,  1861.  His  Major  AA'as  Joseph  J.  Bartlett,  a man  of  good 
ability  and  character,  Avho  also  rose  to  the  rank  of  Major-General, 
and  the  other  officers  Avere  Avell  chosen  men. 

The  actrte  work  of  drilling  and  disciplining  the  Twenty- 
se\Tentli  Begiment  Avas  at  once  begun  on  the  Elmira  grounds,  and 
the  men  of  all  the  companies  partook  of  the  general  interest.  By 
Avorking  many  hours  each  day,  early  and  late,  they  soon  attained 
a good  degree  of  efficiency,  and  their  first,  and  early,  sendee  on 
the  battle-field  shoAved  it  to  be  one  of  the  best  regiments  then  in 
the  army. 


COLUX  EL  II.  IF.  SLOCUM 


1861 


11 


In  compliance  with  orders,  Colonel  Slocum,  with  his  regi- 
ment, left  the  barracks  at  Elmira  July  10,  1861,  by  steam  cars 
and,  upon  his  reporting  to  the  Secretary  of  War  in  Washington 
the  same  day,  his  regiment  was  assigned  to  Colonel  Andrew 
Porter’s  First  Brigade  of  General  David  Hunter’s  Second  Divi- 
sion of  General  Irvin  McDowell's  army,  then  a few  miles  south 
of  Washington;  and  the  brigade  was  .joined  without  delay. 

The  regiment  had  but  a short  time  to  rest,  and  to  get  some- 
what adjusted  to  its  brigade  surroundings,  before  being  ordered 
forward  to  meet  the  enemy.  The  Twenty-seventh  united  with 
other  regiments  to  form  the  Union  center,  which  marched  at  2 
o’clock  A.  M.  for  the  First  Battle  of  Bull  Run,  or  Manassas,  July 
21,  1861.  This  was  one  of  the  most  trying  days  from  the  heat, 
the  long  march,  fatigue  and  trying  engagements  under  strong 
fire  and  rout,  to  which  untried  troops  could  have  been  subjected. 
But,  in  the  unfortunate  battle  that  ensued,  Slocum  and  his  men 
were  conspicuous  for  their  good  discipline  and  bravery,  notwith- 
standing the  long  hours  they  were  under  arms.  For  some  length 
of  time  victory  appeared  to  be  with  the  Union  forces  when  Colo- 
nel Henry  W.  Slocum  completed  the  rout  of  the  enemy’s  center 
by  a well  conceived,  and  well  executed  charge,  in  which  he  fell 
with  a severe  musket  ball  wound  through  his  left  thigh. 

Fresh  reinforcements  rallied  the  enemy,  who,  in  turn,  routed 
the  Union-  center  in  which  Slocum’s  regiment  remained  true  to 
the  rigid  training  of  their  Colonel,  and  did  great  service  by  be- 
ing the  first  to  rally  upon  the  first  position  and  form  a nucleus 
for  gathering  the  regiments  scattered  by  the  reinforced  enemy.15 
But  the  Union  army  was  in  retreat,  and  but  a part  of  the  panic 
stricken  men  could  be  arrested  to  orderly  pace. 

At  the  present  distance  it  is  quite  impossible  to  fully  com- 
prehend the  conditions  of  the  fear  stricken  young  soldiers  who, 
in  their  efforts  to  flee  from  danger,  brought  upon  themselves 
more  suffering  than  they  would  have  experienced  in  an  orderly 
retreat,  if  retreat  was  necessary.  The  conditions  of  the  enemy 
were  but  little  better  than  those  of  the  retreating  men.  The 
weather  was  Hot  and  dry.  The  perspiration,  dust,  and  smoke, 
with  the  loss  of  sleep  and  rest ; with  short  or  no  rations  of  both 
water  and  food ; the  great  excitement,  worse  from  being  the  first 
battle ; fear  and  overwrought  exertion  to  escape  by  crowding, 


1S61 


IX  FIRST  BULL  RUX  BATTLE 


15 


pushing,  struggling,  aud  using  every  means  of  taking  advantage 
of  every  apparent  help  to  quicken  the  pace,  even  encroaching  on 
the  wounded  and  adding  greatly  to  their  surgical  shock,  all  con- 
spired to  the  permanent  disablement  of  many  of  the  weaker  ones. 
It  was  a very  severe  ordeal  for  those  who  were  the  strongest. 
Rain  fell  during  the  night  which,  while  adding  to  the  difficulty 
of  traveling  over  unimproved  roads,  conduced  to  some  relief  in 
other  ways.  The  casualties  in  Colonel  Slocum’s  regiment  were 
26  killed,  11  wounded,  including  two  officers,  and  60  missing. 

Colonel  Slocum’s  men,  from  their  good  state  of  discipline, 
and  the  wise  management  of  Major  Bartlett,  escaped  much  of 
the  personal  injury  and  serious  results  experienced  by  many 
regiments. 

The  Colonel,  in  common  with  other  wounded  who  could  he 
moved,  received  as  good  attention  as  could  be  given  by  the  new 
and  not  fully  equipped  surgical  force  before  starting  for  the 
hospital  in  Washington.  As  he  rallied  from  the  shock  of  his 
wound,  his  thoughts  were  on  his  men ; and  he  was  not  relieved  in 
mind  until  all  the  details  of  their  good  work  were  recounted  to 
him.  His  joy  over  the  favorable  report  was  prominent  in  his 
letter  to  his  wife,  namely: 


Washington,  July  25,  1S61. 

My  Dear  Clara: 

I attended  services  at  Manassas  last  Sunday,  but  before  the  meeting 
closed  I was  obliged  to  depart  for  this  city.  For  particulars  see  the  New 
York  daily  papers. 

I am  bolstered  up  in  bed,  making  my  first  attempt  at  writing.  I am 
as  happy  as  a clam  in  high  water.  My  regiment  covered  itself  with  glory. 
It  was  one  of  the  first  in,  and  last  out.  Not  a man  showed  the  white 
feather.  They  fought  until  all  their  ammunition  was  expended,  and  when 
the  stampede  commenced,  General  McDowell  ordered  the  officers  to  form 
all  the  regiments  in  line  so  as  to  make  another  stand,  or,  at  least,  make  an 
orderly  retreat.  . . . Finally  he  gave  up  the  attempt,  and  we 

were  ordered  to  retreat. 

After  going  a few  rods  the  General  made  another  attempt  to  check  the 
utter  rout  of  our  troops.  He  again  ordered  the  regiments  to  form  in  line, 
but  ours  was  the  only  one  that  could  be  formed  again.  The  General  then 
cried  out  in  a loud  voice,  “Soldiers,  form  on  that  noble  regiment!  We 
must  make  a stand ” . . . This  same  attempt  was  repeated  a 


16 


BRIGADIER-GENERAL  SLOG UM 


1861 


third  time,  with  the  same  result.  A person  told  me  to-day  that  General  Mc- 
Dowell reported  all  this  to  General  Scott,  with  high  encomium  on  the 
regiment. 

All  this  may  appear  singular  in  view  of  the  accounts  of  the  battle 
given  in  the  New  York  papers,  wherein  our  regiment  is  not  even  mentioned. 

But  the  truth  is  known  in  quarters  where  I desire  to  have  it 
known.  It  is  all  right. 

I had  almost  forgotten  to  tell  you  about  my  wound.  It  is  doing  well, 
and  pains  me  but  little.  I would  agree  to  take  another  just  like  it  if  I 
could  thereby  secure  as  good  conduct  on  the  part  of  my  regiment  when  it 
takes  the  field  again. 

As  soon  as  his  wound  was  in  condition  for  the  journey,  Colo- 
nel Slocum  returned  to  his  home  in  Syracuse  where  he  made 
rapid  recovery. 


CHAPTER  VI 

Brigadier-General.  Recovers  from  Wound 

About  the  middle  of  August  Colonel  Slocum  was  highly 
pleased  in  the  receipt  from  the  Department  of  War  of  a com- 
mission of  Brigadier-General,  bearing  date  August  9,  1861.  This 
may  have  hastened  his  return  to  the  field  of  action,  where  he  re- 
ported for  duty  September  9th  after  an  absence  of  only  fifty 
days  from  the  time  of  receiving  his  wound. 

Upon  his  reporting  to  the  Secretary  of  War  he  was  assigned 
to  command  the  Second  Brigade  in  General  William  B.  Frank- 
lin’s Second  Division  of  General  Irvin  McDowell’s  First  Army 
Corps.  His  brigade  was  composed  of  the  following  regiments : 
The  Sixteenth  and  Twenty-seventh  New  York,  the  Fifth  Maine, 
and  the  Ninth  Pennsylvania.  These  regiments  became  noted  for 
their  good  discipline  and  general  efficiency. 

The  following  report  of  General  Slocum  to  his  ranking  of- 
ficer under  date  Alexandria,  October  5,  1861,  shows  his  alertness 
and  initiative  in  every  good  act  for  his  country : 

“General:  Several  Union  men  have  recently  been  arrested 
by  the  enemy  in  the  vicinity  of  Acc-otink.  On  Saturday  last 
three  worthy  and  inoffensive  men  were  taken  from  their  houses 
solely  on  account  of  their  sympathy  with  the  Government.  I 
have  to-day  caused  the  arrest  of  two  open  and  avowed  secession- 
ists residing  in  the  same  neighborhood.  I am  confident  that  the 


1861 


IX  DEFENSE  OF  WASHINGTON 


17 


retention  of  these  men  as  prisoners  for  a few  days  will  have  a 
wholesome  effect,  and  will  tend  to  restore  quiet  in  the  vicinity  of 
Accotink  by  convincing  the  enemy  that  the  practice  of  capturing 
unarmed  men  is  one  which  can  be  followed  by  both  sides. 

“Mr.  Nevitt  (one  of  the  men  arrested)  frankly  admits  that 
he  is  a secessionist ; that  he  has  sufficient  influence  with  the  enemy 
to  secure  the  discharge  of  parties  arrested  by  them ; that  he  has 
been  to  Fairfax  and  secured  the  release  of  some  of  his  Union 
friends.  All  this  he  freely  admits.  There  is  no  doubt  about  his 
position.  Mr.  Lee  occupies  the  same  position.  He  admits  that 
he  is  opposed  to  the  United  States  Government ; that  his  house  is 
often  visited  by  the  enemy,  and  that  some  of  his  family  are  in 
the  army.  I think  the  position  of  both  is  sufficiently  defined  by 
themselves  to  justify  the  Government  in  retaining  them  as  hos- 
tages for  the  good  treatment  of  their  neighbors  and  our  friends 
who  are  now  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  I have  therefore  placed 
them  in  charge  of  the  provost-marshal  at  Alexandria  to  be  held 
until  further  orders.” 

General  Franklin,  Slocum’s  ranking  officer,  passed  this  re- 
port on  upward  with  the  recommendation  that  these  men  be  sent 
to  Washington  for  imprisonment  until  further  orders. 

The  efficiency  and  good  standing  of  Slocum’s  command  was 
brought  about  by  his  insistence  upon  good  discipline.  His  first 
enforced  lesson  to  this  command,  and  its  result,  are  shown  in  his 
call  for  a court  of  inquiry  regarding  disobeyance  of  his  orders, 
as  follows: 

Headquarters  Second  Brigade, 
Alexandria,  Va.,  October  6,  1861. 

Sir:  I received  information  on  the  3d  instant  that  a body  of  the 
enemy’s  cavalry  was  at  Pohick  Church,  about  12  miles  from  these  head- 
quarters, together  with  such  other  information  as  led  me  to  suppose  that 
the  force  could  be  captured  without  difficulty.  The  plan  for  an  expedition 
for  this  purpose  was  fully  matured  and  was  verbally  communicated  to 
Colonel  Christian,  Twenty-sixth  New  York  Volunteers,  who  was  detailed  to 
the  command.  An  order  was  then  issued  of  which  I herewith  enclose  a copy. 

The  expedition  proved  an  entire  failure,  and  this  result  I am  informed 
and  believe  is  to  be  attributed  to  the  fact  that  my  orders  relative  to  the 
manner  of  the  execution  were  not  obeyed ; and  what  is  still  more  annoying 
to  me  and  disgraceful  to  my  command,  is  the  fact  that  instead  of  being 
marched  back  to  the  camp  in  good  order,  a large  portion  of  the  command 
was  allowed  to  disband  beyond  our  line  of  pickets,  and,  as  might  have  been 
anticipated  from  such  a proceeding,  this  force  sent  to  operate  against  the 
troops  of  the  enemy  was  converted  into  a band  of  marauders,  who  plund- 
ered alike  friend  and  foe. 


18 


BRIGADIER-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1861 


I deem  it  my  duty  to  lay  these  facts  before  the  commanding  general, 
and  to  suggest  that  a court  of  inquiry  be  convened  for  the  purpose  of  a 
thorough  investigation  of  all  the  circumstances  attending  the  expedition. 

I am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  Slocum, 

Brigadier-General  Volunteers,  Commanding. 

Maj.  S.  Williams,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

[Inclosure.] 

■ Headquarters  Second  Brigade, 

Col.  Willlam  H.  Christian:  October  3,  1861. 

Sir:  You  will  take  command  of  a detachment  of  300  infantry  from 
the  regiments  composing  this  brigade  and  one  company  of  cavalry,  and  will 
endeavor  to  cut  off  and  take  prisoners  a body  of  the  enemy ’s  cavalry,  num- 
bering probably  50  men,  stationed  at  or  near  Pohick  Church. 

You  will  proceed  with  225  infantry,  according  to  verbal  directions 
already  given  you,  to  certain  points  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy ’s  position,  and 
make  your  attack  at  precisely  6 o ’clock  to-morrow  morning. 

You  will  send  out  75  infantry  and  the  company  of  cavalry  on  the 
Richmond  road,  with  instructions  to  them  to  be  at  Potter 's  store,  4 miles 
from  Pohick  Church,  and  6 miles  from  these  headquarters,  at  5:45  o’clock, 
driving  in  the  enemy’s  pickets  and  advancing  as  rapidly  as  possible  towards 
Pohick  Church,  in  order  to  cut  off  the  enemy  or  to  render  assistance  to  the 
other  detachments  of  your  command. 

The  object  of  the  expedition  being  accomplished,  you  will  return  with- 
out delay. 

By  order  of  Brigadier-General  Slocum. 

Joseph  Howland, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General.10 

The  result  of  this  discipline  is  expressed  in  General  Slo- 
cum ’s  letter  to  a friend  at  home,  as  follows : 

October  11,  1861. 

I have  been  very  fortunate  in  securing  control  of  my  brigade.  One 
day  last  week  eighteen  officers  of  the  Sixteenth  addressed  a communica- 
tion to  me  relative  to  one  of  my  orders  on  the  subject  of  depredations  on 
private  property.  They  thought  it  very  severe,  and  ‘ ‘ respectfully  de- 
manded” its  modification.  I at  once  placed  every  one  of  them  in  arrest, 
and  confined  them  to  their  tents.  Within  a day  or  two  the  most  humble 
apologies  commenced  pouring  in,  and  finally  every  one  was  released.  But 
it  had  a wonderful  effect  for  good  discipline. 

General  Slocum  was  at  this  time  commanding  one  of  the 
defenses  of  Washington,  situated  near  Alexandria,  Virginia. 

The  15th  of  October,  1861,  the  Ninth  Pennsylvania  Regi- 


1861 


A THOROUGH  DISCIPLINARIAN 


19 


ment  of  Slocum's  command  was  replaced  by  the  Twenty-sixth 
New  York.  Such  changes  made  necessary  a continued  system- 
atic instruction  in  camp  and  picket  duties,  with  thorough  drill- 
ing and  discipline  of  the  command  in  whole  and  in  part.  Self 
control  in  all  emergencies  was  much  dwelt  upon.  The  brigade 
was  constantly  “on  the  firing  line”  as  the  enemy’s  cavalry 
might  dash  against  the  pickets  at  any  moment  in  the  night,  or  in 
certain  places  by  day.  Scouting  parties  for  observation  and  dis- 
cipline were  often  sent  out.  These  exercises  were  all  the  more 
frequent  as  the  time  neared  for  advancing  upon  the  enemy. 
These  thorough  drillings  appealed  to  the  best  judgment  and 
regard  of  the  excellent  officers  and  men  in  the  command ; and  Gen- 
eral Slocum  so  impressed  his  ability  and  consideration  upon  them 
that  they  became  noted  for  their  good  work;  and  “in  times  of 
the  greatest  danger  and  emergency  he  was  a rock  upon  which 
all  could  and  did  rest  with  confidence  and  support.”17 

In  several  details  the  medical  and  distinctively  military 
authorities  of  the  army  had  not  been  working  in  harmony  from 
the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War.  This  discord  was  due  to  the 
want  of  proper  foresight,  and  proper  orders  of  the  Secretary  of 
War  and  of  his  aged  Commander-in-chief  of  the  armies.  The 
medical  men  had,  during  previous  years  of  peace,  been  held  in 
too  close  subservient  rank  and  authority.  A new  class  of  medi- 
cal and  surgical  men  had  arisen,  aud  the  old  military  com- 
manders could  not,  or  would  not,  extend  to  them  due  considera- 
tion. This  resulted  in  confusion  and  no  little  discord  in  some 
commands.  General  Slocum,  however,  being  very  considerate  re- 
garding the  physical  condition  of  his  men,  saw  to  it  that  they 
received  proper  medical  attention,  and  he  was  highly  pleased  to 
co-operate  with  all  worthy  medical  men  and,  having  confidence 
in  their  ability,  he  deferred  to  their  judgments  and  aided  in  the 
enforcement  of  their  directions. 

In  December,  1861,  there  were  found  in  Slocum’s  brigade 
fifteen  hundred  soldiers  not  protected  against  small-pox ; and  by 
his  order  this  unwholesome  condition  was  at  once  remedied.  He 
united  with  the  medical  authorities  to  stop  malingering,  and  the 
true  health  condition  of  his  command  January  21,  1862,  is  shown 
in  comparison  with  the  report  of  the  Assistant  Adjutant  General 
of  14.34  per  cent.,  while  General  Slocum’s  brigade  surgeon  re- 


B El  GAD  I ER-GENEIiAL  BLOC  UM 


1862 


20 


ported  only  6.8  per  cent,  of  sickness.  At  the  same  time  the  ratio 
of  his  companion  brigade’s  reports  were  27.75  and  11.52  respec- 
tively. Measles  raged  severely  and  quite  generally  among  the 
soldiers  from  certain  parts  of  the  different  states,  and  re-ap- 
peared from  time  to  time  during  the  winter  of  1861-62 ; the 
amount  of  sickness  in  some  parts  of  the  army  being  so  great  as 
to  cause  serious  concern  amoig  the  relatives  at  home.  The 
strength  of  General  Slocum’s  brigade  and  its  health  condition 
February  6,  1862,  were  as  follows : 


Mean 

Total  Percentage 

Regiments. 

Strength. 

Sick. 

Sick. 

Twentv-seventh  New  York  . . . 

840 

49 

5.83 

Sixteenth  New  York 

900 

101 

11.22 

Fifth  Maine  

....  828 

92 

11.11 

Ninety-sixth  Pennsylvania  . . . 

927 

32 

3.45 

Batteries  of  Artillery 

434 

23 

5.30 

Lincoln  Cavalry  

....  1,100 

111 

10.00 

Total  number  in  brigade,  5,029 ; total  number  sick,  408 ; per- 
centage of  sickness  as  a brigade,  8. 11. 18 

On  April  6,  1862,  General  Slocum’s  brigade  was  yet  in  the 
defense  of  Washington,  and  the  Secretary  of  War  stated  his  posi- 
tion as  ‘‘on  the  advance  to  Manassas.” 

General  George  B.  McClellan,  who  had  secured  to  the  Union 
that  part  of  Virginia  north  of  the  Kanawha  River  and  west  of 
the  mountains,  was  called  to  Washington  after  the  First  Battle 
of  Bull  Run  to  take  charge  of  the  defenses  of  Washington  and  of 
the  Union  troops  in  northeastern  Virginia.  He  soon  brought 
order  out  of  chaos  and,  notwithstanding  many  limitations,  re- 
straints, and  embarrassments  received  from  the  War  Depart- 
ment, some  of  which  were  probably  necessary  or  well  directed,  he 
accomplished  good  results  in  reorganizing  the  Army  of  the  Po- 
tomac. McClellan  favored  advancing  upon  the  Confederates, 
and  their  capitol  city,  Richmond,  by  way  of  the  Peninsula  be- 
tween the  York  River  and  the  James.  After  many  delays,  con- 
cessions to  the  authorities,  and  re-adjustments,  a council  of  four 
army  corps  commanders,  organized  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States  March  13th,  coincided  with  McClellan  that  Fort 
Monroe,  Virginia,  was  the  proper  base  of  operations  for  move- 


1862  GOES  ON  TEE  PENINSULAR  CAMPAIGN 


21 


ment  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  against  the  Confederates  and 
Richmond.19  The  leading  division  of  troops  for  this  Peninsular 
Campaign  was  started  by  transport  from  Alexandria  March  17, 
1862.  Other  troops  followed,  and  General  McClellan  arrived  at 
Fort  Monroe  April  2nd.  There  were  again  great  delays  from 
want  of  means  of  transportation,  the  want  of  additional  gun- 
boats, and  of  army  reinforcements,  as  McClellan  had  determined, 
as  he  thought,  that  his  land  force  was  outnumbered  by  the 
enemy,  many  of  whom  were  intrenched. 

McClellan  wanted  General  Franklin’s  division;  and  his  per- 
sistency in  calling  for  additional  troops,  and  Franklin’s  in  par- 
ticular, foreboded  their  transfer  to  the  Peninsula. 


CHAPTER  VII 

Transferred  to  the  Peninsular  Campaign 

In  compliance  with  a specially  urgent  request  from  General 
McClellan,  General  Franklin’s  division,  including  Slocum’s  bri- 
gade, was  ordered  to  the  Peninsula.  They  arrived  at  McClel- 
lan’s headquarters  near  Yorktown  April  22,  1862,  and  were  dis- 
embarked from  the  transport  on  the  north  bank  of  the  York 
River,  under  protection  of  gunboats  then  there,  to  operate 
against  Gloucester. 

At  this  juncture  the  Confederates  abandoned  their  fortifi- 
cations in  and  around  Yorktown  that  were  being  besieged  by  Mc- 
Clellan, and  retreated  on  Williamsburg  in  the  night  of  April 
30th. 

Slocum’s  brigade,  with  Dana’s  brigade  of  General  Sedg- 
wick’s division,  was  then  sent  up  the  York  River  by  boats,  while 
McClellan  with  his  besieging  army  followed  the  retreating  enemy 
by  public  roads.  The  York  being  at  flood  and  the  current  rapid, 
but  slow  progress  could  be  made  by  the  heavily  laden  transports. 
They  steamed  only  by  day,  and  could  not  arrive  at  their  destin- 
ation, at  the  mouth  of  the  Pamunkey  River,  until  the  forenoon  of 
May  7th. 

The  troops  disembarked  on  the  right  bank  opposite  West 
Point,  and  took  defensive  positions  near  Eltham ’s  Landing.  Here 
they  were  soon  attacked  by  the  enemy  composed  of  the  Confeder- 


22 


BRIGADIER-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


ate  General  Whitney’s  division,  and  others.  Although  at  consider- 
able disadvantage,  the  Union  force  was  victor.  This  Battle  of 
Eltliam’s  Landing,  McClellan  reported,  was  the  most  important 
in  which  these  Union  troops  had  been  engaged,  and  it  was  highly 
creditable  to  them.  General  Franklin  stated  in  his  report  that 
“General  Slocum  displayed  great  skill  in  the  placing  of  his 
troops,  and  that  the  control  of  his  brigade  in  action  was  admir- 
able.” The  battle  began  between  ten  and  eleven  a.  m.  and  con- 
tinued until  three  p.  m.,  when  the  Confederates  acknowledged 
their  defeat  by  hastily  retreating.  General  Slocum’s  official  re- 
port is  brief  and  characteristically  non-assertive,  namely : 

Headquarters  Second  Brigade, 

Near  West  Point,  Va.,  May  7,  1862. 

Sir:  I have  the  honor  to  report  that  in  the  engagement  which  oc- 
curred to-day  I was  in  command  of  the  center  and  left  wing  of  our  forces. 
It  was  apparent  soon  after  the  commencement  of  the  engagement  that  the 
efforts  of  the  enemy  were  to  he  directed  mainly  against  our  right  wing,  and 
at  the  request  of  General  Newton  I sent  reinforcements  to  him,  consisting 
of  the  Fifth  Maine  Volunteers,  the  Sixteenth  and  Twenty-seventh  New  York 
Volunteers,  which  are  attached  to  the  brigade  under  my  command.  The 
brigade  of  General  Dana,  and  the  Ninety-sixth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  of 
my  brigade,  were  retained  on  the  left. 

All  of  our  troops,  so  far  as  my  observation  extended,  behaved  with 
great  coolness  and  bravery.  The  First  Massachusetts  Battery,  under  com- 
mand of  Captain  Porter,  is  entitled  to  great  credit  for  the  accuracy  of  its 
fire. 

I am  greatly  indebted  to  Capt.  II.  C.  Rodgers,  Captain  IIopkiDS,  Cap- 
tain Sturdevant,  and  Lieutenants  Wead  and  Shannon,  members  of  my  staff, 
all  of  whom  were  actively  engaged  during  the  entire  day;  also  to  Lieutenant 
Harbert,  Fourth  New  Jersey  Volunteers,  and  Lieutenant  Landon,  Adjutant 
Seventh  Michigan  Volunteers,  who  volunteered  their  services  as  staff  officers, 
and  proved  of  great  assistance  to  me. 

I am  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  Slocum, 

Capt.  E.  Sparrow  Purdy,  Brigadier-General  Volunteers. 

Assistant  Adjutant-General.20 

Consonant  with  orders,  these  troops  awaited  at  Eltham’s 
Landing  the  oncoming  of  the  commands  of  Generals  Sedgwick, 
Fitz  J.  Porter,  and  Richardson’s  divisions,  and  protected  their 
landing.  Communication  was  soon  opened  between  this  force 
and  the  other  part  of  the  army  after  its  Battle  of  Williamsburg 
and  the  general  retreating  of  the  enemy  toward  Richmond;  and 


1862 


ON  THE  PENINSULAR  CAMPAIGN 


23 


all  supplies  for  the  Union  army  were  then  received  by  the  York 
River  at  Eltham’s  Landing. 

On  May  13tli  the  headquarters  of  the  general  commanding 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  McClellan,  also  of  Franklin’s  divi- 
sion, embracing  Slocum’s  .brigade,  and  those  of  F.  J.  Porter, 
George  Sykes,  and  William  F.  Smith,  arrived  at  Cumberland, 
Virginia,  which  place  was  made  a temporary  depot  of  supplies. 
It  was  a very  wet  season,  copious  rains  being  frequent.  The 
15th  of  May  the  divisions  of  Franklin,  Porter  and  Smith  were 
started  for  White  House  at  the  crossing  of  the  Pamunkey  River 
and  the  Richmond  Railroad.  The  distance  was  but  five  miles, 
but  it  required  thirty-six  hours  of  serious  effort  to  complete  the 
march  through  the  deep  and  tenacious  mud  with  the  heavy  guns, 
baggage  and  supplies. 

At  White  House  General  McClellan,  with  permission  of 
President  Lincoln,  organized  two  additional  army  corps,  to  be 
known  as  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Provisional  Corps ; the  Fifth  to  be 
composed  of  the  divisions  of  Porter,  Sykes,  and  the  Reserve  Ar- 
tillery. to  be  under  command  of  General  Fitz  John  Porter;  and 
the  Sixth  Corps,  composed  of  the  divisions  of  Franklin  and 
Smith,  to  be  under  command  of  General  William  B.  Franklin. 
General  Smith  remained  in  command  of  his  division,  and  Gen- 
eral Slocum  was  promoted  to  the  command  of  the  division  in 
which  he  had  been  serving  with  the  Second  Brigade.  This  pro- 
motion to  a command  of  three  brigades  was  a high  honor  for  a 
young  brigadier-general  of  short  service  with  one  brigade.  Mc- 
Clellan knew  his  men,  however,  and  he  met  with  no  disappoint- 
ment in  Slocum. 

General  McClellan’s  headquarters  were  moved  to  White 
House  May  16th,  and  the  depot  of  supplies  was  there  established, 
the  supplies  to  come  by  water  and  be  transported  thence  by  rail- 
way. The  19th,  the  headquarters  of  the  army,  including  those  of 
the  two  new  corps,  were  moved  to  Turnstall’s  Station,  an. ad- 
vance of  five  miles  toward  the  main  body  of  the  enemy.  The 
rain  continued,  but  by  the  21st  of  May  the  position  of  the  Union 
troops  had  been  advanced  as  follows: 

General  Stoneman’s  advance  guard  to  within  one  mile  of 
New  Bridge  over  the  Chickahominy  River;  Franklin’s  Sixth 
Corps,  with  Slocum’s  division,  three  miles  from  New  Bridge 


B RI  GAD  IE  R-G  EX  ERA  L SLOG  UM 


1862 


24 


near  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  with  the  river  between  and  at 
high  Hood  stage;  Porter's  Fifth  Corps  at  supporting  distance  in 
the  rear;  E.  V.  Sumner’s  corps  by  the  railway  about  three  miles 
from  the  Chickahominy,  connecting  the  right  of  the  army  with 
the  left;  E.  D.  Keyes’  corps  on  the  New  Kent  Road  near  Bot- 
tom's Bridge;  and  General  S.  P.  Iieintzelman ’s  corps  at  sup- 
porting distance  in  the  rear. 

The  ford  at  Bottom’s  Bridge  was  in  possession  of  the  Union 
army.  The  bridge  there  had  been  destroyed  by  the  enemy,  and 
a new  bridge  was  begun  by  the  soldiers  now  in  possession.  Army 
headquarters  were  removed  to  Cold  Harbor  May  22nd.  The 
railroad  was  in  operation  by  the  Unionists  on  the  26th  to  the 
Chickahominy,  and  a new  bridge  for  it  there  was  nearing  com- 
pletion. 

McClellan  was  very  expectant  of  success  in  the  capture  of 
Richmond,  as  he  was  now  dominating  the  principal  approaches  to 
its  defenses  on  the  east.  He  at  the  same  time  realized  that  he 
was  near  an  alert  Confederate  army  which  he  persisted  in  re- 
porting as  outnumbering  his  own ; but  the  river  separating  them 
was  at  high  flood,  and  he  was  expecting  reinforcements  again 
from  Washington. 

The  Union  center  and  right  flank  were  advanced  to  the 
river  above  the  left;  and  the  24th  of  May  the  enemy  was  driven 
from  Mechanicsville  to  within  ten  miles  of  Richmond,  the  fleeing 
foe  destroying  the  bridge  after  crossing  it.  The  same  day  the 
enemy  was  driven  from  Seven  Pines  fifteen  miles  southeast  of 
Mechanicsville  on  the  south  side  of  the  Chickahominy,  and  the 
advance  Union  line  secured  a strong  position  near  there. 

The  effective  Union  forces  were  being  greatly  reduced  daily 
by  wounds,  sickness,  deaths,  garrisons,  and  guard  duties  and, 
while  the  Confederate  army  was  being  reinforced  daily,  no  rein- 
forcements came  to  the  Union  army. 

McClellan  had  telegraphed  the  War  Department  that,  “It 
is  possible  that  the  enemy  may  abandon  Richmond;  but  I do  not 
believe  he  will — and  it  would  be  unwise  to  count  upon  anything 
but  a stubborn  and  desperate  defense,  a life  and  death  contest. 
I see  no  other  hope  for  him  than  to  fight  this  battle,  and  we  must 
win  it.  I shall  fight  them  whatever  their  force  may  be ; but  I ask 
for  every  man  that  the  Department  can  send  me.”19 


1862 


ON  TEE  FEX INSULAR  CAMPAIGX 


25 


The  26tli  of  May,  learning  that  a considerable  force  of  the 
enemy  was  at  the  village  of  Hanover  Court  House,  to  the  right 
and  rear  of  his  army,  McClellan  dispatched  General  Porter  with 
one  division  of  his  corps  to  that  place.  Porter  was  soon  involved 
in  two  or  three  sharp  engagements,  in  which  the  enemy  was 
routed  each  time  and  some  prisoners  captured.  The  enemy  per- 
sisted in  demonstrations  toward  the  Union  capitol  as  a feint,  or 
to  get  vantage  ground  in  the  rear  of  the  Union  army.  In  the 
meantime  the  Union  left  continued  to  cross  the  Chickahominy 
and  to  threaten  Richmond.  This  flank  was  attacked  by  a strong- 
force  of  the  enemy  at  Fair  Oaks  where  a bloody  battle  was  fought 
May  31st  and  June  1st.  Here  the  enemy  was  routed  with  greater 
loss  than  suffered  by  the  Union  forces;  and  his  pickets  were 
pressed  back  to  within  five  miles  of  Richmond.  Further  advance 
against  the  enemy  at  this  time  seemed  impracticable,  and  the 
men  in  the  new  Union  lines  contented  themselves  with  the 
thought  of  being  well  in  advance  of  their  former  front. 

The  composition  of  General  Slocum’s  division  June  20th, 
1862,  was  as  follows : Officers,  393 ; men  in  the  ranks,  8,853 ; 
present  and  equipped  for  duty,  9,246.  The  aggregate  number  in 
camp  was  9,841.  Those  absent,  sick  and  wounded  numbered 
1,236. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

Ending  op  the  Peninsular  Campaign 

Among  the  reinforcements  of  the  enemy  at  this  time,  hur- 
riedly brought  from  a distance  to  aid  in  the  protection  of  Rich- 
mond, was  General  Thomas  J.  (Stonewall)  Jackson’s  command 
of  rapid  fighters.  The  approach  of  this  formidable  command  de- 
cided McClellan  to  change  his  base  of  supplies  and  operations 
from  the  York  and  Pamunkey  to  the  James  River,  but  a few 
miles  south  of  the  Chickahominy.  McClellan  fully  realized  the 
great  danger  of  this  movement  at  this  time  when  about  to  be 
assailed  by  a supposed  superior  force  in  numbers ; but  the  dan- 
gerous Confederate  gunboat  Merrimac  having  been  destroyed  by 
the  Union  Monitor  in  Hampton  Roads  left  the  James  River  open 
to  Union  gunboats  which  could  be  used  in  different  ways  as  sup- 
ports. The  change  of  base  was,  therefore,  hopefully  entered  up- 


26 


BRIGADIER-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


on  the  evening  of  June  26tli.  An  unexpected  advance  of  the 
enemy  across  the  Chickahominy  above  the  Union  forces  disar- 
ranged some  of  McClellan’s  plans,  which  were  soon  righted,  and 
the  change  was  more  than  compensated  for  by  the  delay  of  Jack- 
son’s expected  attack. 

This  attack  occurred  soon  after  noon  of  June  27th  near 
Gaines’  Mill,  and  it  was  rapid  and  general  along  General  Por- 
ter’s chosen  position  upon  an  elevation  known  as  Gaines  Hill. 
At  two  p.  m.  General  Porter  asked  for  reinforcements.  General 
Slocum’s  division  hastily  responded  from  the  south  side  of  the 
Chickahominy,  and  succeeded  in  arriving  to  his  support  at  3.30 
P.  M.  Slocum’s  troops  were  immediately  distributed  along  the 
weaker  parts  of  Porter’s  hard-pressed  line,  increasing  his  force 
to  about  thirty-five  thousand  men,  which  was  estimated,  as  usual 
by  McClellan,  to  be  contending  with  at  least  double  this  number 
of  the  enemy.19  The  distribution  of  Slocum’s  men  prevented 
Porter’s  line  from  being  broken  by  the  enemy,  and  thus  saved  the 
battle,  “as  its  being  pierced  at  any  one  part  would  have  been 
fatal.”  (McClellan.)  About  seven  p.  m.  the  enemy  again  at- 
tacked the  Union  line  impetuously  with  fresh  troops,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  pressing  back  Porter’s  left  and  causing  there  some 
confusion,  which  was  righted  by  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  fresh 
Union  troops  and  without  their  entering  the  contest.  The  shade 
of  night  was  now  come,  and  the  enemy  retired. 

The  following  extracts  from  his  Diary  of  the  Battle  of 
Gaines  Mill  was  contributed  to  the  National  Tribune,  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  of  February  27.  1913,  by  William  B.  Westervelt  of 
Newburgh,  New  York,  member  of  Company  F,  27th  Regiment, 
New  York  Volunteers.  It  possesses  features  of  interest,  namely: 
“On  Friday,  June  27,  at  8 a.  m.  we  were  called  into  line  and, 
after  receiving  a fresh  supply  of  cartridges,  we  moved  in  light 
marching  order  about  two  miles  and  stopped  near  the  Chicka- 
hominy River.  Our  brigade  never  looked  better  than  it  did  that 
morning.  General  Slocum  (our  first  Colonel)  had  been  ad- 
vanced to  the  command  of  our  division,  while  General  J.„  J. 
Bartlett  (our  second  Colonel)  commanded  our  brigade  that  was 
made  up  of  the  5th  Maine  (hardy  lumbermen  from  the  north- 
eastern part  of  that  State,  and  were  commanded  by  Colonel 
Jackson)  ; the  96th  Pennsylvania  (from  the  coal  regions  of  Lu- 


1862 


IN  THE  SEVEN  DAYS’  BATTLES 


27 


zerne  County  and  commanded  by  Colonel  John  Cake,  whom  the 
soldiers  dubbed  Johnnycake)  ; the  10th  New  York  (from  St. 
Lawrence  County,  commanded  by  Colonel  Joseph  Howland  who, 
the  day  before  at  his  own  expense,  had  furnished  his  regiment 
with  neat,  comfortable  straw  hats).  We  who  were  wearing  our 
fatigue  caps  that  hot  morning  looked  with  envious  eyes  at  How- 
land’s regiment.  As  the  Colonel  rode  at  the  head  of  his  regi- 
ment no  one  would  have  believed  him  to  be  the  brave  and  dash- 
ing officer  that  ere  the  sun  went  down  he  proved  himself  to  be. 
My  regiment,  the  27tli  New  York,  was  also  in  this  brigade,  and 
was  commanded  by  Colonel  Alexander  D.  Adams,  of  Lyons,  New 
York,  a man  of  education  and  refinement,  but  lacking  the  dash 
of  our  former  Colonel  Slocum.  We  remained  quiet  during  the 
day,  stretched  out  in  the  shade,  where  we  ate  our  dinner.  We 
could  hear  the  sound  of  cannon  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Cliick- 
ahominy,  little  thinking  that  it  "would  be  the  last  day  on  earth 
for  many  of  our  immediate  comrades.  General  Fitz  John  Por- 
ter with  his  corps  was  gradually  falling  back  from  Mechanicsville 
and  Gaines  Mill,  but  gallantly  disputing  the  ground  inch  by 
inch,  under  the  incessant  hammering  of  Stonewall  Jackson’s 
army,  heavily  reinforced  from  Lee’s  army  from  around  Rich- 
mond. About  4 p.  m.  the  Due  de  Chartres,  a young  officer  from 
France  who  was  on  General  McClellan’s  staff  arrived  and,  after 
a few  hurried  words  with  General  Slocum,  galloped  away.  Soon 
our  division  was  in  line,  and  we  supposed  we  were  to  return  to 
camp.  However,  we  turned  to  the  left  and  took  the  road  towards 
Woodbury’s  Bridge  across  the  Chickahominy.  Years  afterwards 
General  Porter  paid  the  following  tribute  to  our  division:  ‘While 
withdrawing  from  Beaver  Dam  I had  seen,  to  my  delight,  Slo- 
cum’s Division  of  Franklin’s  Sixth  Corps  crossing  the  river  to 
my  assistance.  McClellan  had  promised  to  send  it,  and  I needed 
it ; it  was  one  of  the  best  divisions  of  the  army.  Its  able,  experi- 
enced and  gallant  commander  and  his  brave  and  gifted  subordi- 
nates had  the  confidence  of  their  well-trained  soldiers.  They 
were  all  worthy  comrades  of  my  well-tried  and  fully  trusted 
officers,  and  of  many  others  on  that  field  subsequently  honored 
by  their  countrymen.’  After  crossing  the  river  we  ascended  a 
hill,  wdien  there  was  plain  evidence  that  our  army  (Porter’s 
command)  was  getting  the  worst  of  the  fight.  One  evidence  was 


28 


BRIGADIER-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1882 


that  of  a company  of  pioneers  was  cutting  the  spokes  out  of  some 
of  our  army  wagons,  to  render  them  useless  if  they  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.  This  clearly  proved  that  Porter’s  command 
anticipated  retreating,  if  it  was  not  already  doing  so.  We  halted 
a few  moments  in  a small  ravine,  when  up  rode  a staff  officer  and 
called  out  ‘Bring  up  Bartlett’s  Brigade  at  double-quick.’  With 
an  agility  that  would  have  done  credit  to  an  athlete  General 
Bartlett  sprang  into  his  saddle  and,  calling  ‘Attention,’  we  were 
soon  quickly  moving  to  the  front.  One  hundred  yards  brought 
us  face  to  face  with  the  enemy,  when  we  relieved  (took  the  places 
of)  the  5th  New  York  (Duryea’s  Zouaves)  whose  showy  uni- 
forms were  strewn  thickly  over  the  ground,  showing  some  desper- 
ate fighting.  We  immedately  got  to  work  and  for  a few  minutes 
the  fighting  was  fast  and  furious.  We  lost  many,  but  managed 
to  hold  our  ground.  Soon  the  firing  slackened  in  our  immediate 
front  as  the  enemy  fell  back  under  cover  of  some  woods  where 
they  seemed  to  be  massing  on  our  right  in  front  of  one  of  our 
batteries  which  was  supported  by  the  16th  New  York,  holding 
the  extreme  right  of  our  line.  We  were  not  kept  in  suspense 
long.  On  looking  to  the  right  of  our  regiment  we  saw  them 
forming  just  outside  of  the  woods  and  here  we  witnessed  as  com- 
plete a move  by  the  enemy  as  could  be  made  on  drill  or  parade. 
They  came  out  of  the  woods  at  double-quick  with  guns  at  right- 
shoulder  shift  (Hardee’s  tactics)  and  by  a move  known  as  ‘on 
the  right  by  file  into  line’  they  formed  the  line  of  battle  com- 
plete. Every  man  on  taking  his  place  brought  his  gun  to  shoul- 
der, and  stood  waiting  until  the  battalion  was  formed  (unless 
knocked  over  by  a shot),  when  they  moved  forward  and  made 
room  for  another  battalion  to  form  in  the  same  way.  We 
thought  that  troops  who  could  make  that  move  under  concentrat- 
ed fire  of  artillery  and  musketry  were,  to  say  the  least,  ‘safe  to 
bet  on.  ’ We  had  not  long  to  admire  them.  Forward  they  came, 
intending  to  strike  our  line  on  the  right.  Not  a gun  did  they 
fire  until  within  less  than  fifty  yards  when,  after  a volley,  they 
gave  a yell  and  charged,  five  lines  deep.  No  single  line,  as  ours, 
could  withstand  such  onslaught.  The  16th  New  York  was 
crowded  back,  disputing  the  ground  inch  by  inch,  while  the  artil- 
lerymen stood  by  their  guns  until  the  enemy  closed  in  and  actu- 
ally struck  them  down  or  knocked  the  cartridges  out  of  their 


1862 


IN  THE  SEVEN  DAYS’  BATTLES 


29 


hands.  Now  Colonel  Howland  got  in  liis  grand  work.  He  was 
riding  from  right  to  left  of  his  regiment,  urging  his  men  to  stand 
firm.  Soon  they  rallied  and  under  the  lead  of  the  Colonel  they 
drove  the  enemy  bac-k  and  recaptured  the  battery.  Here  Colonel 
Howland  was  severely  wounded,  and  was  carried  from  the  field. 
Once  more  the  enemy  came  forward,  and  the  word  was  passed 
down  the  line,  ‘help  the  16tli.’  Without  waiting  for  Colonel 
Adams  to  give  the  order,  but  following  the  example  set  by  Gen- 
eral Bartlett  and  led  by  his  brother  Lieutenant  L.  C.  Bartlett  of 
the  General’s  staff,  we  turned  by  the  right  Hank  and  were  soon 
among  the  16tli,  each  man  on  his  own  hook ! There  was  then 
done  some  of  the  most  desperate  fighting.  The  blue  and  the  gray 
were  mixed,  and  in  the  gathering  darkness  we  could  scarcely  de- 
tect friend  from  foe.  The  ground  was  fairly  covered  with  the 
dead  and  wounded  of  both  sides.  Every  artillery  horse  was 
killed.  Finally  the  enemy  dragged  off  two  of  the  cannon,  while 
we  held  possession  of  the  ground  and  kept  the  other  two.  As 
night  closed  upon  us  the  second  of  the  ‘Seven  Days’  Fight’  in 
front  of  Richmond  was  ended;  and  the  writer,  with  a dislocated 
ankle,  limped  to  the  rear  using  his  Springfield  rifle  as  a crutch.” 

During  the  night  the  Union  forces  retired  to  their  comrades 
with  their  trains,  on  the  south  side  of  the  Chickahominy,  the  rear 
guard  being  composed  of  infantry  regulars  who  crossed  early  in 
the  morning  of  June  28tli,  destroying  the  bridge  behind  them. 
The  result  of  this  Battle  of  Gaines’  Mill  resulted  as  favorably  as 
the  commanding  general  expected — to  hold  the  enemy  in  check 
on  the  left  (north)  bank  of  the  river  until  night  in  order  that 
the  wagon  trains  and  artillery  might  be  safely  crossed  and  well 
on  the  way  to  the  James  River  before  morning. 

The  evening  of  June  28th  General  Slocum  received  orders 
from  McClellan  to  move  his  division  to  Savage’s  Station  early 
the  next  morning,  and  to  hold  that  position  during  the  day  to 
cover  and  protect  the  movement  of  wagon  trains,  and  then  to  fall 
back  across  the  White  Oak  Swamp  and  join  the  army.  Slocum 
arrived  at  the  Station  as  directed,  and  there  received  orders  to 
cross  the  Swamp  at  once  and  relieve  General  Keyes’  corps. 
Keyes,  being  thus  relieved,  moved  his  corps  to  the  James  River 
where  he  arrived  safely  with  all  his  artillery  and  supplies.  This 
change  of  order  for  General  Slocum  kept  him  away  from  the 


30 


BRIGADIER-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


beginning  of  the  battle  at  Savage’s  Station.  General  Franklin 
was  ordered  to  hold  the  passage  of  White  Oak  Swamp  Bridge 
and  to  cover  the  withdrawal  of  the  army  trains  from  that  point. 
The  trains  were  delayed  by  taking  the  wrong  road,  repairing 
the  road,  and  from  causes  not  reported  at  the  time ; and  the  engi- 
neers did  not  send  their  report  as  ordered. 

About  12.30  p.  m.  of  June  30th,  while  General  Slocum  with 
his  division  was  on  the  right  of  the  Charles  City  Road,  the 
enemy  attacked  the  divisions  of  Smith  and  Richardson  and  the 
brigade  of  Naglee  at  White  Oak  Swamp  Bridge.  At  two  p.  m. 
the  enemy  advanced  in  force  by  the  Charles  City  Road  and  was 
met  by  such  vigorous  opposition  from  Slocum’s  artillery  that  he 
deflected  and  attacked  McCall’s  division  which  was  compelled  to 
retire  after  a severe  engagement.  Generals  Slocum,  Kearney, 
and  Taylor  soon  occupied  the  field  vacated  by  McCall,  and  drove 
back  the  enemy,  who  then  retired  from  the  contest.  These  en- 
gagements were  styled  the  Battle  of  Glendale,  which  “was  the 
most  severe  action  since  the  Battle  of  Fair  Oaks.”  (McClellan). 
Among  the  enemy  at  Glendale  were  the  commands  of  the  strong 
Confederate  Generals  Longstreet  and  A.  P.  Hill. 

“There  is  a story  told,  by  those  who  know,  of  a night  when 
Colonel  Calvin  E.  Pratt  (afterward  general,  now  judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court)  stumbled  into  Slocum’s  tent,  drenched  from 
head  to  foot  with  his  own  blood,  having  come  two  days’  march 
from  the  Gaines  Mill  battle-field,  where  he  had  been  left  for 
dead.  Slocum  was  asleep,  but  hearing  that  he  had  had  nothing 
to  eat  for  thirty-six  hours,  Pratt  woke  him  and  tendered  him 
some  French  soup  put  up  in  a metal  phial  that  gave  up  its  con- 
tents when  squeezed.  Slocum  did  not  recognize  the  exceeding 
grim-looking  angel  of  mercy,  but  he  took  the  soup,  and  after- 
wards said  that  though  by  waking  he  had  left  a wonderful  ban- 
quet, of  which  he  had  been  dreaming,  that  soup  Avas  Avell  worth 
the  loss  of  the  delusion.”113 

This  nearly  exhausted  condition  of  General  Slocum  is  briefly 
mentioned  in  his  letter  to  his  Avife,  given  on  the  following  page. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  July  1,  1862,  that  part  of  the 
Union  army  engaged  at  Glendale  arrived  at  Malvern  Hill  by  the 
James  River  with  the  Reserve  Artillery  and  supply  train,  to  take 
part  in  the  battle  there  already  begun.  Slocum,  with  his  divi- 
sion. took  position  on  the  right  Avin'g  of  the  Union  army.  The 


1862 


REPORTS  OF  PE X INSULAR  BATTLES 


31 


enemy  was  here  in  force,  and  was  repulsed  with  great  loss.  The 
Union  gunboats  in  the  James  River  acted  a part  in  this  battle. 
This  ended  the  Seven  Days’  Battles  of  General  McClellan  with 
his  Army  of  the  Potomac  in  its  Peninsular  Campaign. 

This  army  then  moved  a few  miles  down  the  left  bank  of 
the  James  and  chose,  and  occupied,  desirable  ground  for  encamp- 
ment at  Harrison’s  Landing  and  Harrison  Bar.  Here  was  af- 
forded time  and  opportunity  for  the  much  needed  rest  and  re- 
cruiting of  greatly  depleted  strength ; and  the  first  opportunity 
for  writing  at  much  length  to  friends  at  home,  and  for  the  offi- 
cers’ preparation  of  their  official  reports  of  the  momentous  Seven 
Days’  Battles. 


CHAPTER  IX  v 

Letters.  Reports.  Promoted  Major  General 

Harrison  ’s  Landing,  Virginia,  July  10,  1862. 

Dear  Wife: 

My  last  letter  to  you,  written  two  or  three  days  ago,  was  rather  blue  I 
think.  I had  then  been  here  a day  or  two,  and  the  reaction  from  the  ex- 
citement of  the  previous  ten  days  weighed  heavily  upon  me.  I felt  weak 
and  sick.  I now  feel  better.  But  I must  say  that  although  this  army  is 
safe,  I do  not  think  the  prospect  of  an  early  and  successful  termination  of 
the  war  is  bright.  .... 

I spoke  in  my  letter  of  the  twenty-sixth  of  being  unwell.  I was  very 
weak  on  the  twenty-seventh ; was  taken  with  a fit  of  vomiting  and  was 
obliged  to  dismount  for  a few  minutes.  I soon  returned  to  the  field,  or 
rather  did  not  leave  the  field,  but  went  to  a place  in  the  shade. 

On  Monday  I had  a position  assigned  to  my  division 
which  I was  to  defend.  I did  it  in  my  own  way,  and  have  the  satisfaction 
of  knowing  that  I saved  hundreds  of  lives.  I tried  to  save  life  by  carefully 
posting  my  troops  and  using  my  artillery.  I have  allowed  matters  connected 
with  our  movements  here  to  worry  me  until  I came  near  being  sick ; but  I 
know  it  can  do  no  good.  Things  must  take  their  course,  and  I made  up  my 
mind  to  get  a good  novel  and  try  to  forget  everything  here. 

I feel  better  to-day  than  I have  for  several  days.  Best  and  quiet  will 
soon  make  me  all  right.  I dreamed  every  night  after  our  arrival  here  of 
being  on  the  march,  of  losing  wagons,  artillery,  etc.  I do  not  want  you  to 
think  I have  been  sick,  but  I got  rather  worn  and  nervous. 

Reports  of  Brigadier-General  Henry  W.  Slocum,  LI.  S. 
Army,  commanding  First  Division,  of  the  Battle  of  Gaines’  Mills, 


32 


BRIGADIER -GENERAL  SLOCLAI 


1862 


action  at  Bracketts,  and  Battles  of  Glendale  (Frazier’s  Farm) 
and  Malvern  Hill. 

Hdqrs.  First  Division,  Sixth  Provisional  Corps, 

Camp  near  Harrison’s  Landing,  Ya.,  July  8,  1862. 

Sir:  On  the  27th  June  last,  in  obedience  to  orders  received  from 
General  Franklin,  I ordered  the  brigade  commanded  by  Brigadier-General 
Newton  to  cross  Alexander’s  Bridge  to  the  left  bank  of  the  Chickahominy 
to  the  support  of  General  Porter.  The  order  was  received  at  2 o’clock 
p.  M.  and  the  brigade  immediately  moved  in  light  marching  order.  At  2.30 
p.  M.  I was  ordered  to  cross  at  the  same  point  with  the  remainder  of  my 
division.  The  movement  was  executed  at  once,  and  General  Taylor’s  bri- 
gade crossed  at  about  3 p.  m.,  followed  by  the  brigade  of  Colonel  Bartlett. 

On  my  arrival  near  the  field  I was  met  by  a member  of  General  Por- 
ter’s staff,  who  directed  me  to  place  one  brigade  near  the  right  of  the  line  of 
battle  and  another  on  the  left  of  the  first  brigade.  General  Newton’s  bri- 
gade was  at  once  formed  in  two  lines,  of  two  regiments  each,  the  first  line 
deployed,  the  second  in  double  column,  and  moved  to  the  point  designated, 
accompanied  by  Lieutenant  Upton’s  battery  (D),  of  the  Second  U.  S. 
Artillery. 

This  brigade  was  subsequently,  by  order  of  General  (Fitz  John)  Porter, 
directed  to  enter  the  woods  in  front  of  them,  two  regiments  at  one  point 
and  two  at  another.  The  Thirty-first  New  York  and  Ninty-fifth  Pennsyl- 
vania, under  the  immediate  command  of  General  Newton,  stormed  the  woods 
which  were  then  occupied  by  the  enemy  in  very  strong  force,  and  main- 
tained their  position  more  than  two  hours  under  a most  galling  fire  and 
against  greatly  superior  numbers.  The  other  two  regiments  of  this  brigade, 
the  Eighteenth  and  Thirty-second  New  York,  under  command  of  Colonel 
Koderick  Matheson,  of  the  latter  regiment,  occupied  a position  on  an  emi- 
nence near  the  woods  occupied  by  General  Newton  until  nearly  all  their 
ammunition  was  exhausted,  when  they  were  ordered  to  retire  to  a position 
in  the  rear,  where  a new  line  was  formed. 

The  New  Jersey  brigade,  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  G.  W.  Taylor,  on 
its  arrival  on  the  field  was  formed  in  the  same  order  as  that  of  General 
Newton,  and  on  arriving  near  the  line  of  battle  its  regiments  were  ordered 
into  the  woods.  The  Fourth  New  Jersey,  under  command  of  Col.  J.  H. 
Simpson,  was  detached  from  the  brigade  and  ordered  to  an  advanced  posi- 
tion in  the  woods,  where  cut  off  from  the  rest  of  our  troops,  the  greater 
portion  of  it,  together  with  its  gallant  Colonel  and  all  of  its  officers  except 
those  who  had  already  fallen,  were  taken  prisoners.  The  remaining  regi- 
ments of  the  brigade  maintained  the  positions  assigned  to  them  until  their 
ammunition  was  expended  and  our  entire  line  withdrawn.  This  brigade  was 
accompanied  by  and  supported  Hexamer’s  battery  (A),  of  the  First  New 
Jersey  Artillery. 

Having  received  no  specific  directions  as  to  the  disposition  of  the  re- 
maining brigade  under  command  of  Col.  Joseph  .J.  Bartlett,  of  the  Twenty- 
seventh  New  York,  I directed  Colonel  Bartlett  to  take  position  on  the  ex- 


1862 


REPORTS  OF  PEXIXSULAR  BATTLES 


33 


treme  left  of  the  line,  near  the  new  road  leading-  through  the  valley  from 
Doctor  Gaines’  house  to  Alexander’s  Bridge.  On  approaching  the  point 
indicated  Colonel  Bartlett  found  our  troops  engaged  to  the  right  of  his 
position,  and  immediately  moved  his  brigade  to  their  support.  He  was  sub- 
sequently ordered  to  the  right  of  the  line  to  support  General  Sykes,  whose 
troops,  fatigued  by  the  long  contest  of  this  and  the  previous  day,  were 
nearly  overpowered  by  the  overwhelming  numbers  of  the  enemy.  Porter ’s 
battery  (A)  of  the  First  Massachusetts  Artillery,  was  assigned  to  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Bartlett,  and  remained  with  his  brigade  during  the  day. 

For  detailed  accounts  of  the  operations  of  the  several  brigades  of  my 
command  I would  respectfully  refer  you  to  the  reports  of  the  brigade  com- 
manders, copies  of  which  are  herewith  inclosed.  It  will  be  seen  from  the 
reports  that  not  only  were  the  brigades  of  the  division  separated  from  each 
other,  but  at  least  in  two  instances  was  the  brigade  organbation  broken  up 
and  regiments  detached  to  hold  isolated  positions  in  the  woods.  As  to  the 
conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  of  my  division.  I have  only  to  say  that  the 
division  entered  the  field  8,000  strong,  and  that  the  list  of  killed,  wounded 
and  missing  amounts  in  the  aggregate  to  2,021.  These  lists  attest  the  devo- 
tion and  heroism  of  officers  and  men.  notwithstanding  this  fearful  loss 
(including  as  it  does  many  of  the  bravest  and  best  officers  of  the  division) 
all  the  regiments  left  the  field  in  good  order,  and  returned  to  their  camps 
in  the  same  compact  and  orderly  manner  that  characterized  their  march  to 
the  scene  of  conflict. 

The  brigade  commanders,  Generals  Newton  and  Taylor  and  Colonel 
Bartlett,  are  each  entitled  to  the  greatest  praise,  not  only  for  their  heroic 
conduct  on  the  field,  but  for  their  untiring  efforts  after  the  close  of  the 
action  in  bringing  off  the  wounded  and  in  maintaining  order  and  steadiness 
amid  the  prevalent  confusion. 

The  loss  of  the  division  in  officers  was  particularly  severe,  not  only  in 
numbers  but  in  the  character  of  those  killed  and  wounded.  Colonel  Tucker 
and  Major  Everson,  of  the  Second  New  Jersey,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Heath,  of  the  Fifth  Maine,  were  killed  while  gallantly  discharging  their 
duty.  Their  loss  is  deeply  felt  in  their  regiments  and  throughout  the  divi- 
sion, and  will  be  lamented  by  a wide  circle  of  friends.  Colonel  Gosline  and 
Major  Hubbs,  of  the  Ninety-fifth  Pennsylvania,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Marsh,  of  the  Sixteenth  New  York,  were  mortally  wounded  while  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight  and  have  since  died.  Colonel  Howland,  of  the  Sixteenth 
New  York;  Colonel  Pratt,  of  the  Thirty-first  New  York;  Colonel  Jackson, 
of  the  Fifth  Maine;  Major  Gardner,  of  the  Twenty-seventh  New  York, 
and  Major  Hatfield,  of  the  First  New  Jersey,  were  so  severely  wounde'd  as 
to  be  rendered  unfit  for  duty.  Over  the  fate  of  Colonel  Simpson,  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Hatch,  and  Major  Birnev,  and  the  other  officers  of  the  Fourth 
New  Jersey,  hangs  a painful  uncertainty.  They  either  rest  in  a soldier ’s 
grave  or  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

Of  the  many  other  officers  of  less  rank — the  non-commissioned  officers 
and  soldiers — I cannot  here  write  in  detail.  Like  soldiers  and  like  men 


34 


BRIGADIER-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


they  performed  their  duty  and  met  their  fate,  and  a grateful  country  will 
long  bear  them  and  the  thousand  nameless  heroes  of  this  conflict,  who  have 
offered  up  their  lives  at  the  nation ’s  shrine,  in  lasting  and  honored  re- 
membrance. H.  W.  Slocum, 

Brig.-Gen.  of  Volunteers,  Commanding  First  Division  of  Sixth  Corps. 
Capt.  Fred  T.  Locke,  Asst.  Ad.jt.-Gen.  Hdqrs.  Fifth  Provisional  Corps. 


Ifdqrs.  First  Division,  Sixth  Provisional  Army  Corps, 

Camp  near  Harrison’s  Landing,  Va.,  July  10,  1862. 

Sir : I have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  move- 
ment of  the  division  under  my  command  from  the  close  of  the  Battle  of 
Gaines’  Hill,  on  the  27th  ultimo,  until  its  arrival  at  its  present  position. 

The  division  returned  from  the  field  of  battle  at  Gaines’  Ilill  at  about 
11  p.  m.,  leaving  on  the  field  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing  one-half  of  its 
regimental  commanders,  about  one-fourth  of  all  the  other  officers,  and  at 
least  one-fourth  of  the  non-commissioned  officers  and  soldiers  who  had  so 
recently  crossed  the  river  to  the  support  of  General  Porter.  The  men,  weary 
with  the  labors  and  excitement  of  the  day,  were  allowed  but  little  rest. 
Early  the  following  morning  their  camps  at  Courtney’s  were  changed  to  a 
position  where  they  could  be  better  sheltered  from  the  fire  of  the  enemy’s 
batteries  planted  at  Garnett’s  and  Gaines’  Hills.  The  same  evening  (the 
28th)  orders  were  received  by  me  to  move  the  division  to  Savage ’s  Station, 
there  to  await  further  orders.  The  movement  commenced  at  11  P.  M.,  but 
was  so  delayed  at  Trent 's  Hill  by  the  passage  of  other  troops  that  the  divi- 
sion did  not  arrive  at  Savage’s  until  about  5 A.  M.  on  Sunday,  the  29th. 

At  this  place  I received  orders  from  General  McClellan  in  person  to 
move  the  division  across  the  White  Oak  Swamp.  We  crossed  at  2 P.  M., 
and  at  5 p.  m.  I was  ordered  to  proceed  to  a point  on  the  Long  Bridge  Road, 
about  1 1-2  miles  beyond  the  swamp,  to  relieve  the  divisions  of  Generals 
Couch  and  Peck,  both  of  whom  were  under  orders  to  proceed  to  the  James 
River  on  the  arrival  of  my  command.  The  division  reached  this  place  at  7 
p.  M.,  and  full  one-half  of  the  effective  force  was  immediately  sent  out  on 
picket  duty  for  the  night.  On  the  following  morning  I took  position  on 
the  Charles  City  Road,  about  1 mile  from  its  junction  with  the  Long  Bridge 
Road  and  about  an  equal  distance  from  Brackett’s  Ford. 

In  anticipation  of  an  attack  by  a force  said  to  be  approaching  on  the 
Charles  City  Road  this  road  was  blockaded  as  thoroughly  as  possible.  Soon 
after  our  arrival  our  line  was  established,  and  Upton’s  battery  (D),  Second 
Artillery,  and  Porter’s  and  Hexamer’s  Volunteer  batteries  placed  in  posi- 
tion. The  infantry  necessary  to  support  the  artillery  was  posted  on  the 
flanks  of  the  batteries,  and  the  remainder  so  disposed  as  to  be  entirely  pro- 
tected from  the  fire  of  the  enemy ’s  artillery.  The  bridge  near  Brackett ’s 
Ford  was  destroyed  by  our  troops  immediately  after  our  arrival,  and  an 
infantry  force,  with  one  12-pounder  howitzer  of  Hexamer’s  battery,  placed 
to  defend  the  position.  At  10  o’clock  the  enemy  appeared  at  this  point  and 
attempted  a reconstruction  of  the  bridge,  but  was  repulsed. 


1862 


REPORTS  OF  SEVEN  DAYS’  BATTLES 


35 


At  11  a.  m.  our  pickets  on  the  Charles  City  Eoad  were  driven  in  and 
the  enemy  immediately  appeared  in  full  force  in  a large  open  field  in  our 
front,  their  position  being  partially  screened  from  our  view  by  a narrow 
belt  of  woodland.  They  opened  fire  from  two  batteries,  which  was  at  once 
replied  to  by  Porter’s  and  Upton’s  batteries  and  two  pieces  of  Hexamer’s 
battery.  Our  artillery,  with  the  exception  of  the  two  pieces  of  Ilexamer ’s 
battery,  was  exceedingly  well  served. 

About  this  time  a large  body  of  infantry  and  some  artillery  which 
had  approached  our  lines  by  the  Charles  City  Road  and  moved  to  our  left, 
and  were  brought  against  the  troops  of  Generals  Kearny  and  McCall.  The 
artillery  fire  was  continued  by  the  enemy  in  our  front  until  nearly  dark, 
but  our  troops  were  so  well  covered  that  we  suffered  but  few  casualties,  our 
total  loss  not  exceeding  25  in  killed  and  wounded. 

At  7 o ’clock  it  was  reported  to  me  that  the  left  of  our  line,  held  by 
General  Heintzelman,  was  severely  pressed,  and  the  fire  of  the  enemy  in  our 
front  having  ceased,  I ordered  the  brigade  of  Colonel  Bartlett  to  move  to 
the  front  and  gain  possession,  if  possible,  of  the  field  on  which  the  enemy 
first  appeared.  As  soon  as  his  brigade  moved  down  the  road  leading  to 
this  position  a strong  force  of  the  enemy’s  infantry  appeared,  drawn  up  in 
line  a short  distance  beyond  a creek  separating  our  position  from  that  held 
by  the  enemy.  Upton  's  battery  of  light  12-pounders  was  at  once  moved 
to  the  front  and  a very  effective  fire  of  canister  opened  upon  them,  which 
caused  their  well-formed  lines  to  disappear. 

At  this  time  General  Heintzelman  arrived  on  the  field,  and  at  his 
suggestion  I ordered  the  First  New  Jersey  Brigade,  commanded  by  Briga 
dier-General  Taylor,  to  the  support  of  General  Kearney.  Under  the  cir- 
cumstances I deemed  it  imprudent  to  attempt  an  advance. 

Our  position  during  the  entire  day  was  defended  mainly  by  our  artil- 
lery, which  on  this,  as  on  all  other  occasions,  was  most  admirably  served. 
Of  Upton's  battery  (D)  Second  Artillery,  and  Porter’s  battery  (A)  First 
Massachusetts  Volunteer  Artillery,  I cannot  speak  too  highly.  The  officers 
and  men  of  both  these  batteries  have  on  all  occasions  manifested  that  cool- 
ness and  bravery  so  necessary  to  this  branch  of  the  service.  Hexamer ’s  bat- 
tery has  usually  been  well  served,  but  on  this  occasion  the  two  pieces  under 
command  of  a lieutenant  (since  resigned)  were  poorly  handled,  and  proved 
of  but  little  assistance.  Captain  De  Russy’s  battery,  of  the  Fourth  Artil- 
lery, and  Captain  Randolph’s  Volunteer  battery  were  in  position  on  our 
line  during  a portion  of  the  day,  and  did  good  execution.  To  Captain  E.  R. 
Platt,  chief  of  artillery,  I am  greatly  indebted,  not  only  for  his  services 
during  both  the  recent  engagements,  but  for  his  unceasing  care  and  vigi- 
lance on  the  march.  The  fire  on  our  left  was  continued  until  a late  hour 
in  the  evening,  and  at  times  the  shells  and  even  musket  balls  from  the 
enemy  fell  in  the  road  directly  in  rear  of  our  position. 

At  9 p.  m.,  having  expended  nearly  all  our  ammunition  and  being  en- 
tirely destitute  of  rations,  I sent  a staff  officer  to  general  headquarters  to 
report  our  condition.  At  11  P.  M.,  having  permission  of  General  Heintzel- 


36 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


man,  I moved  the  division  to  Malvern  Hill.  We  arrived  at  this  point  at 
daylight,  and  at  9 a.  m.,  the  2d  instant,  moved  to  a position  on  the  right 
of  onr  line.  From  the  time  of  our  arrival  until  the  commencement  of  the 
engagement  on  this  day  the  men  were  employed  in  constructing  abatis  and 
otherwise  strengthening  our  position.  During  the  engagement  on  our  left 
the  division  was  under  arms. 

At  11  p.  M.  orders  were  received  to  move  to  our  present  position,  where 
we  arrived  at  daylight  on  the  3d  instant.  During  this  entire  week  the 
troops  were  allowed  scarcely  an  hour  of  undisturbed  rest  either  by  night  or 
day,  yet  the  division  marched  into  its  present  camp  in  good  order,  leaving 
very  few  stragglers,  and  without  the  loss  of  any  arms,  ammunition,  clothing, 
or  wagons,  and  with  a cheerfulness  prevailing  among  the  soldiers  as  well 
as  officers  which  to  me  was  as  astonishing  as  it  was  gratifying. 

Great  credit  is  due  to  the  brigade  commanders,  Generals  Newton  and 
Taylor,  and  Colonel  Bartlett,  for  their  vigilance  and  untiring  efforts  on 
the  field  as  well  as  on  our  night  marches.  They  were  constantly  with  their 
commands,  cheering  them  by  noble  example  as  well  as  by  words. 

To  the  members  of  my  staff,  Captain  Rodgers,  assistant  adjutant- 
general;  Captain  Hopkins,  quartermaster;  Captain  Sturdevant,  commissary 
of  subsistence;  Lieutenants  Wead,  Shannon,  and  Guindon,  aides,  and  Sur- 
geon Burr,  I am  greatly  indebted.  They  were  with  me  during  the  entire 
week,  and  proved  very  efficient  in  the  discharge  of  their  respective  duties. 

I am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  Slocum, 

Brigadier-General  Volunteers,  Commanding. 
Capt.  E.  Sparrow  Purdy,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

The  opposing  forces  engaged  in  the  Seven  Days’  Battles 
numbered  as  follows : The  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  composed 
of  150  regiments  of  infantry;  2 regiments  and  1 battalion  of 
engineers ; 1 regiment  of  heavy  or  siege  artillery ; 58  batteries 
and  10  regiments  of  cavalry.  The  Confederate  forces  were  com- 
posed of  173  regiments  and  12  battalions  of  infantry;  71  bat- 
teries; and  12  regiments  of  cavalry. 

The  Union  losses  during  the  Seven  Days  Battles  were : 
Killed,  1,734;  wounded,  8,062;  missing,  6,075;  total,  15,849. 
The  Confederate  losses  were:  Killed,  3,478;  wounded,  16,261; 
missing,  875;  total,  20, 614. 113  The  losses  at  the  Battle  of  Gaines 
Mill  alone  were : Union,  killed  894 ; wounded,  3,107 ; missing, 
2,836;  total,  6,837.  Confederate,  total,  killed  and  wounded,  8,751. 

General  Slocum  was  again  cheered  by  even  greater  recogni- 
tion and  appreciation  of  his  services  than  before,  in  his  promo- 
tion to  the  rank  of  Major-General  by  President  Lincoln,  Chief, 


1862 


CLOSE  OF  PENINSULAR  CAMPAIGN 


37 


and  the  War  Department,  the  commission  bearing  date  July 
Fourth,  1862.  Surely  this  was  a rapid  rise  to  the  command  of 
numerous  batteries  of  artillery,  and  of  many  thousands  of  men 
by  a man  who,  but  a little  over  one  year  before,  could  not  get  the 
consent  of  the  Governor  of  his  State  to  organize  one  light  battery. 
This  was  a graceful  recognition  unsolicited  by  himself  or  friends 
of  his  conscientious  devotion  to  duty,  a characteristic  that  led  to 
yet  broader  and  more  valuable  service;  as  the  President  and  War 
Department  were  anxious  to  advance  their  worthy  officers. 

A period  of  comparative  quiet  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
now  followed.  The  camps  were  put  in  good  condition,  and  the 
defensive  features  were  strengthened.  The  Richmond  forces  of 
the  enemy  often  appeared  threateningly,  and  then  withdrew  their 
main  forces,  leaving  at  Malvern  Hill  a medium  force,  which  was 
soon  routed,  and  the  scattered  enemy  disappeared.  Coming  down 
the  south  side  of  the  James,  the  enemy  placed  a battery  of  artil- 
lery one  night  at  Coggins’  Point  opposite  the  Union  encamp- 
ment, and  with  it  killed  ten  Union  soldiers,  and  did  other  harm. 
This  battery  was  soon  silenced  by  Union  artillerists  who  then 
constructed  a battery  in  its  place  that  stopped  further  mischief. 
The  country  on  both  sides  of  the  James  was  kept  well  under  ob- 
servation, and  numerous  scouting  parties  of  the  enemy  were  pun- 
ished and  scattered. 

All  parts  of  the  army  were  in  different  ways  kept  in  good 
exercise.  The  hot  season  caused  much  malaria,  and  this,  with  its 
complications,  caused  much  sickness.  August  3rd  the  sick  list 
of  the  Union  army  at  Harrison’s  Landing  and  vicinity  numbered 
12,500  persons. 

Reinforcements  for  advance  on  Richmond  had  repeatedly 
been  requested  by  McClellan ; and  at  times  they  were  promised ; 
but  the  enemy  again  began  to  threaten  Washington  and,  August 
3rd,  the  authorities  there  sent  an  order  for  McClellan  to  with- 
draw the  army  at  once  from  the  James  River  and  to  transport 
it  up  the  Potomac  to  the  mouth  of  Aquia  Creek,  to  aid  General 
Pope  in  the  protection  of  Washington,  and  to  there  combat  the 
enemy  while  formidating  plans  against  Richmond  from  that 
quarter.  This  was  a severe  blow  to  McClellan’s  plans  and  de- 
sires, but  he  at  once  began  preparations  to  comply  with  the  order, 
and  at  the  same  time  renewed  correspondence  with  Washington 


38 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


in  defense  of  his  plans  for  tlie  attack  of  Richmond  by  way  of 
the  James  River.  Better  protection  of  Washington  was  insisted 
upon  by  the  War  Department,  and  McClellan  was  urged,  harshly 
he  thought,  to  hasten  the  army’s  coming  to  the  aid  of  General 
Pope,  who  was  south  of  Washington. 

The  shipping  facilities  for  even  the  wounded  and  sick  were 
inadequate  on  the  James,  and  it  was  necessary  for  those  able  to 
walk  to  join  the  marching  columns. 

When  the  order  to  break  camp  was  sounded,  the  readiness 
with  which  the  army,  artillery,  and  army  wagons  disappeared 
from  the  grounds  was  astonishing.  Major-General  Slocum’s 
command  took  up  the  march  August  16th,  and  moved  this  day 
to  Charles  City  Court  House,  a distance  of  seven  miles ; the  next 
day  they  crossed  the  Chickahominy  River  at  Barrett’s  Ford, 
marching  a distance  of  fourteen  miles ; the  18th  they  passed 
through  Williamsburg,  having  marched  fifteen  miles ; the  19th  to 
Yorktown,  twelve  miles  on  the  way;  the  20th  to  Young’s  Mill, 
fourteen  miles ; the  21st  the  march  extended  nine  miles  to  New- 
port News,  where  the  soldiers  embarked  on  transports  for  the 
Potomac  River,  August  22nd  and  23rd. 

CHAPTER  X 

To  Alexandria,  Battle  of  Manassas 

After  seeing  liis  men  and  subordinate  officers  on  board  trans- 
ports at  Newport  News,  General  Slocum  was  fortunate  in  ob- 
taining more  rapid  transit  to  his  destination  that  he  might  make 
arrangements  for  their  landing  and  reorganization.  His  corps, 
the  Sixth,  arrived  at  Aquia  Creek,  the  designated  landing,  late 
the  21th  of  August  and,  Slocum  having  found  the  wharves  there 
small  and  fully  occupied,  it  was  decided  to  disembark  the  troops 
at  Alexandria,  a few  miles  above.  Report  had  been  made  to  the 
authorities  at  Washington,  who  directed  that  the  Sixth  Corps  go 
into  camp  at  Alexandria  immediately  upon  its  arrival. 

There  was  . not  full  feeling  of  accord  between  Generals  Mc- 
Clellan, Pope,  commanding  the  Union  troops  of  the  advance 
guard  of  Washington,  and  ITalleck,  their  ranking  officer  at 
Washington,  who  had  been  most  active  in  the  correspondence 
with  McClellan,  and  who  would  not  now  give  definite  answer  to 


1862 


AGAIN  AT  ALEXANDRIA 


39 


McClellan’s  question  regarding  liis  future  relation  to  Pope  and 
the  future  operation  of  the  army. 

During  the  last  few  days  the  enemy  had  been  appearing  at 
intervals,  here,  there  and  elsewhere,  and  he  had  succeeded  amaz- 
ingly well  in  causing  loss  to  the  authorities  in  Washington  of 
his  whereabouts,  and  of  even  the  Union  General  Pope  and  his 
troops.  The  authorities  were  even  doubtful  of  proper  protec- 
tion to  Washington  before  the  arrival  of  the  Army  of  the  Po- 
tomac. Surely  an  evasive  and  wily  enemy  were  the  Confeder- 
ates at  this  time. 

Gradually  McClellan  learned  something  of  the  whereabouts 
of  the  parts  of  what  he  yet  considered  his  own  army,  which  had 
been  quietly  scattered  by  Halleck.  Fitz  J.  Porter’s  Fifth  Corps 
was  marching  on  Warrenton  Junction  to  reinforce  Pope;  Kear- 
ney had  been  at  Rappahannock  Station  the  day  before,  and  Wil- 
liams was  at  Falmouth. 

The  cavalry  and  artillery  horses  had  not  been  received  from 
the  Peninsula.  McClellan  continued  alert  and  acted  promptly, 
so  far  as  possible,  on  all  orders  received  from  Washington  for 
the  arrangement  of  troops  and  supplies. 

In  a communication  dated  August  31,  1862,  Halleck  released 
McClellan  from  all  participation  and  responsibility  in  the  battle 
thought  then  to  be  in  progress  by  General  Pope’s  command,  clos- 
ing in  these  words:  “You  will  retain  the  command  of  every- 
thing in  this  vicinity  not  temporarily  to  be  Pope’s  army  in  the 
field.  . . .1  beg  of  you  to  assist  me  in  this  crisis  with 

your  ability  and  experience.”19 

The  infantry  of  General  Slocum’s  division  of  the  Sixth 
Corps  arrived  at  Alexandria  August  25th  and  26th.  The  horses 
and  artillery  were  received  separately,  only  sixteen  of  the  for- 
mer being  received  by  the  28th.  On  the  27th  order  came  from 
General  Halleck  to  send  a brigade  to  Centerville,  the  enemy  be- 
ing reported  at  that  place.  In  compliance  with  this  order,  Gen- 
eral Slocum  dispatched  from  his  division  General  Taylor’s  bri- 
gade by  railway  train,  which  inadvertently  ran  into  serious  dis- 
aster. As  this  train  arrived  at  the  bridge  over  Bull  Run  it  was 
assailed  by  four  brigades,  with  artillery,  of  the  Confederate  A.  P. 
Hill’s  division  of  Thomas  J.  (Stonewall)  Jackson’s  corps.  The 
Union  loss  here  was  great,  including  the  death  of  General  Taylor, 


40 


MAJOR-GEXERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


a watchful  and  efficient  officer.  The  brigade  was  withdrawn  in 
good  order,  however,  evidencing  the  high  degree  of  discipline  it 
had  attained  under  directions  of  its  chief  commander,  General 
Slocum. 

With  the  meager  receipts  of  horses  and  artillery  August  28th 
by  Slocum’s  command,  attempts  were  made  to-  collect  a train  to 
carry  food  to  Pope’s  troops  at  the  front,  but  facilities  for  ac- 
complishing much  in  this  work  were  wanting.  Friday,  August 
29th,  however,  the  Sixth  Corps  started  for  the  front  with  orders 
to  communicate  with  General  Pope  and,  at  the  same  time,  guard 
communication  with  Alexandria,  the  starting  point.  The  ad- 
vance at  Annandale,  ten  miles  in  front,  reported  that  fugitives 
from  Pope’s  command  were  constantly  arriving  there  and  giving 
information  of  a large  force  of  the  enemy  near  Fairfax  Court 
House  six  miles  distant.  The  ammunition  of  Slocum’s  men  was 
short,  they  now  having  only  ten  rounds  for  each  gun,  and  Mc- 
Clellan ordered  a halt  at  Annandale  during  the  night,  and  to 
proceed  at  six  o’clock  next  moi’ning.  In  the  meanwhile  ammu- 
nition and  provision  wagons  had  been  hurried  forward ; and  the 
Sixth  Corps  was  further  ordered  to  withhold  movement  for  the 
protection  of  the  oncoming  trains. 

Upon  arrival  at  Fairfax  Court  House  August  30th,  General 
Slocum  detached  a brigade  of  infantry  and  a battery,  under 
command  of  Colonel  Alfred  T.  A.  Torbert,  with  order  to  guard 
the  junction  of  Little  River  and  Warrenton  Turnpike,  between 
Centerville  and  Alexandria.  Colonel  Torbert  later  reported  that 
about  8 o’clock  of  August  31st  his  brigade  was  attacked  by  the 
enemy  with  three  pieces  of  artillery  which  caused  confusion 
among  the  wagon  teams  then  under  his  protection.  He  succeeded 
in  driving  the  enemy  away,  and  thereby  preventing  catastrophe 
to  Pope’s  men,  as  well  as  avoiding  loss  of  the  trains.  Pope  had 
not  placed  protection  at  this  point ; and  only  to  Slocum ’s  keen 
discernment  and  good  judgment  were  due  the  credit  of  providing 
for  the  driving  of  a dangerous  part  of  the  enemy  from  this  vul- 
nerable place.  It  was  afterwards  determined  that  this  attack  on 
Slocum’s  men  was  made  by  General  J.  E.  B.  Stuart  the  enemy’s 
noted  cavalry  leader. 

At  1.30  p.  M.  order  was  received  from  McClellan  directing 
the  other  part  of  the  Sixth  Corps  to  join  General  Pope  at  once. 


1862 


IN  DEFENSE  OF  WASHINGTON 


41 


Tlie  troops  accordingly  moved  through  Centerville  and,  when 
about  three  miles  beyond,  many  of  Pope’s  men  were  met  in  wild 
retreat.  The  remaining  part  of  Slocum’s  division,  being  in  ad- 
vance, was  formed  across  the  road  in  effort  to  arrest  the  fright- 
ened, fleeing  mass,  the  different  parts  of  which  were  promiscu- 


MAJOR-GENERAL  HENRY  W.  SLOCUM 
At  the  Close  of  the  Peninsular  Campaign.  Age  36  Years 


ously  struggling  to  get  at  the  head  of  the  retreat — a mass  and 
press  “as  great  as  the  First  Bull  Run  Battle  retreat  of  July  21st, 
1861,’’  said  General  Slocum.  With  great  effort,  by  himself  and 
men,  they  succeeded  in  gathering  about  three  thousand  of  these 
panic-stricken  soldiers  in  a somewhat  protected  place  nearby ; but 
from  a flying  report  of  a force  of  Confederate  cavalry  being 


42 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


seen,  though  a mile  distant,  the  fugitives  forcibly  broke  through 
all  guarding  lines  and  continued  a precipitate  retreat.  General 
Pope  soon  appeared,  and  directed  the  Sixth  Corps  to  return  to 
Centerville,  at  which  place  he  desired  to  reform  his  line. 

The  next  morning,  August  31st,  a detachment  of  the  Sixth 
Corps,  including  artillery,  was  sent  to  Cub  Run  Bridge  as  rear 
guard  to  Pope’s  troops,  the  only  protection  between  them  and  the 
enemy ; and  it  secured  peaceful  movement  of  the  long  trains  to 
safe  stations.  The  Sixth  Corps  followed  Pope  to  Fairfax  Court 
House,  and  the  next  evening,  September  2,  it  returned  to  guard 
and  recruiting  duties  near  Alexandria. 

As  soon  as  the  Confederate  general  commanding,  Robert  E. 
Lee,  became  aware  of  the  severity  of  the  defeat  of  Pope’s  troops, 
and  the  somewhat  disorganized  condition  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  he  left  cavalry  to  watch  and  harass  the  broken  Union 
forces,  and  the  other  defenses  of  Washington,  and  with  his  main 
army  he  moved  rapidly  to  the  invasion  of  Maryland,  hoping  to 
find  there  a double,  or  triple,  gain — recruits  for  his  own  de- 
pleted forces ; army  supplies ; and  prestige  at  home  and  abroad, 
all  or  either  one  of  which  would  detract  from  the  Union.  As  a 
matter  of  course,  the  possibility  of  capturing  Washington  could 
but  form  at  least  a hope.  This  was  the  Confederacy’s  first  bold, 
well-conceived,  extra-Confederate  territorial  offensive  movement. 

Affairs  were  now,  to  some  degree,  in  worse  chaotic  condition 
in  Washington  than  at  the  defeat  of  General  McDowell  at  the 
First  Battle  of  Bull  Run  the  preceding  year.  President  Lincoln 
and  his  aids  of  the  War  Department  again  sought  the  counsel 
and  assistance  of  General  McClellan.  He  had  been  “released” 
from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  was  now  restricted  to  duty 
in  and  immediately  around  Washington.  After  a long  confer- 
ence with  him  the  President  favored,  under  date  of  September  2, 
the  brief  order,  that  “Major-General  McClellan  will  have  com- 
mand of  the  fortifications  of  Washington,  and  of  all  the  troops 
for  the  defense  of  the  eapitol.”  This  order  was  signed  by  Major- 
General  Henry  W.  Halleek,  and  it  was  interpreted  by  McClellan 
to  embrace  soldiers  in  the  field  as  well  as  those  in  the  immediate 
fortifications ; and  it  was  well  that  he  acted  accordingly. 

The  same  day  McClellan  ordered  General  Pope  to  distribute 
his  forces  near  Washington.  Franklin’s  Sixth  Corps,  with  Slo- 


1862 


ON  MARYLAND  CAMPAIGN 


43 


cum’s  division,  was  in  the  advance  at  Alexandria.  The  Army  of 
Virginia,  composed  of  McDowell,  Banks,  and  Fremont’s  com- 
mands, was  consolidated  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and 
General  Pope  was  relieved  from  the  service  September  5th.23 

CHAPTER  51 

Maryland.  Crampton’s  Pass  and  Antietam 

Again  General  McClellan  demonstrated  his  excellent  organ- 
izing ability.  He  visited  the  different  commands,  chose  his 
subordinate  officers  for  the  field,  and  incited  them  to  immediate 
action  for  the  filling  of  their  depleted  ranks  by  various  newly 
recruited  troops  in  or  near  Washington,  or  by  those  about  to  be 
received,  and  to  otherways  make  preparation  for  immfediate  pur- 
suit of  the  invading  enemy,  whose  movements  meantime  had  been 
kept  under  observation  by  scouting  and  harassing  detachments 
of  cavalry  accompanied  by  artillery.  Much  work  of  preparation 
was  necessary  for  the  determined  march  against  the  foe,  but  the 
officers  were  generally  equal  to  the  arduous  task  required  of 
them.  All  of  the  supplies  of  recruits  and  subsistence  readily 
available  were  gathered  and,  trusting  to  be  overtaken  by  others, 
the  different  forces  moved  rapidly  forward. 

From  September  2nd  to  6th  General  Slocum  with  his  First 
Division  of  the  Sixth  Corps  was  at  Alexandria,  Virginia.  On 
the  6th  he  marched  by  way  of  the  Long  Bridge  over  the  Potomac, 
through  Washington  to  Georgetown.  The  7th  the  march  was  to 
Rabbit’s  farm  beyond  Tenallytown,  District  of  Columbia.  The 
8th  to  Muddy  Run,  Maryland.  Ninth,  to  Seneca  Run  beyond 
Darnestown.  Tenth,  to  Barnesville.  The  12th  to  near  the 
Monocacy  River,  by  way  of  Urbana.  The  13th  to  the  foot  of 
Catoctin  Mountain  near  Jefferson.  September  14th  the  march 
extended  across  the  Mountain,  and  through  Jefferson  and 
Burkittsville. 

It  was  determined  that  the  enemy  was  in  Pleasant  Valley 
at  the  west  side  of  South  Mountain,  and  guarding  the  two  prin- 
cipal passes,  Crampton’s  and  Turner’s,  against  the  Union  forces, 
which  were  on  the  east  side.  It  was  McClellan’s  desire  to  drive 
the  enemy  away  from  these  passes  in  order  that  Ins  own  men 
could  go  through  and  defeat  the  enemy  in  sections. 


u 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


Early  in  the  afternoon  of  September  14th  General  Slocum 
was  leading  the  column  of  his  division  toward  Crampton’s,  and 
the  work  of  clearing  this  pass  devolved  on  him.  Near  Burkitts- 


ville  he  drove  away  the  enemy’s  pickets,  and  found  the  enemy 
occupying  the  entire  Pass  with  infantry  intrenched  behind  stone 
walls  at  the  foot  of  the  east,  proximal  side;  also  with  infantry 


1862 


REPORT  OF  MARYLAND  CAMPAIGN 


45 


and  batteries  of  cannon  along  up  the  side  of  the  Mountain  and 
Pass,  the  sharpshooters  being  behind  trees  and  inequalities  of 
the  steep  side.  General  Slocum  led  the  attack  in  person.  It  re- 
quired but  few  shots  from  his  batteries  and  infantry  to  convince 
him  that  nothing  but  a vigorous  and  continued  bayonet  charge 
would  rout  the  advantageously  placed  enemy.  The  lines  were 
immediately  formed  accordingly,  the  men  obeyed  promptly,  and 
they  rushed  over  the  intervening  space,  and  stone  wall,  with  a 
cheer  and  with  volleys  of  handarms’  fire  that  sent  panic  to  the 
hearts  of  the  Confederates  not  wounded,  and  caused  a rout  that 
extended  throughout  the  Pass.  Slocum  and  his  men  were  quick 
to  follow  the  dislodged  and  fleeing  foe  and,  continuing  as  rapid 
a pace  as  possible,  drove  the  part  not  slain  or  wounded  of  his 
enemy  up  and  through  the  narrow,  rough  gap  of  great  steepness 
and  down  into  Pleasant  Aralley  on  the  other  side.  The  charge 
was  so  continuous  and  energetic  that  the  enemy  had  no  time  to 
make  a stand.  This  great  feat  required  about  three  hours  of 
most  active  and  serious  work. 

The  report  of  Major-General  Slocum,  U.  S.  Army,  of  the 
Battle  of  Crampton’s  Pass,  Maryland,  is  as  follows: 

Headquarters  First  Division,  Sixth  Army  Corps, 

Camp  in  the  Field,  September  24,  1862. 

Sir : I have  the  honor  of  submitting  the  following  report  of  the  action 
of  this  division  in  the  engagement  at  Crampton  Pass  on  the  14tli  instant: 

The  division  encamped  on  the  night  of  the  13th  about  3 miles  east  of 
Jefferson,  on  the  road  leading  from  Urbana  to  .Jefferson.  At  daylight  on 
the  14th  instant  the  division  left  camp,  moved  through  Jefferson,  and  at 
12  M.  met  the  pickets  of  the  enemy  near  Burkittsville.  Colonel  Bartlett, 
commanding  the  leading  brigade,  at  once  deployed  the  Ninety-sixth  Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania  Volunteers  as  skirmishers,  who  drove  in  the  enemy’s  pick- 
ets and  advanced  to  the  village.  The  other  regiments  of  the  division  were 
then  advanced  to  a position  about  half  a mile  east  of  the  village,  where  they 
were  completely  concealed  from  the  view  of  the  enemy  and  covered  from 
the  fire  of  his  artillery.  Wolcott’s  First  Maryland  Battery  was  then  ad- 
vanced to  a point  to  the  left  of  the  infantry,  and  replied  to  the  enemy ’s 
artillery  until  preparations  for  the  attack  of  the  infantry  were  completed. 

At  3 P.  M.  the  column  of  attack  was  formed  in  the  following  order : 
The  Twenty-seventh  Regiment  New  York  Volunteers  deployed  as  skirmish- 
ers, followed  at  a distance  of  200  yards  by  the  Fifth  Maine  and  Sixteenth 
New  York  Volunteers  in  line  of  battle;  the  brigades  of  General  Newton 
and  Colonel  Torbert  followed,  each  brigade  being  in  two  lines,  the  regi- 
ments in  line  of  battle  and  the  lines  200  yards  from  each  other;  the  Ninety- 


46 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


sixth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  of  Bartlett’s  brigade,  which  had  advanced 
into  the  village,  formed  in  rear,  and  joined  the  column  as  it  advanced;  the 
One  Hundred  and  Twenty-first  New  York  Volunteers  was  held  as  a re- 
serve at  the  point  where  the  column  was  formed.  As  soon  as  the  advance 
began,  the  enemy  opened  with  a heavy  and  well-directed  artillery  fire,  but 
the  troops  advanced  steadily,  every  line  in  the  entire  column  preserving  its 
alignment  with  as  much  accuracy  as  could  have  been  expected  at  drill  or 
review.  The  line  of  skirmishers  soon  drew  the  fire  of  the  enemy’s  infantry, 
which  appeared  in  strong  position  in  rear  of  a stone  wall,  which  afforded 
them  an  admirable  cover. 

The  position  and  strength  of  the  enemy  having  been  ascertained,  the 
skirmishers  were  withdrawn,  and  Colonel  Bartlett  led  the  first  line  to  a 
point  within  300  yards  of  the  enemy’s  line.  A severe  engagement  ensued, 
the  enemy  having  greatly  the  advantage  in  position,  and  being  aided  by  at 
least  eight  pieces  of  artillery  posted  on  the  sides  of  the  mountain.  The 
position  of  this  pass  and  its  approaches  rendered  it  evident  that  in  the  at- 
tempt to  carry  it.  reliance  was  to  be  placed  mainly  upon  the  infantry.  I 
had,  therefore,  left  all  the  artillery  of  the  division  in  rear,  but  fearing  that 
the  stone  wall  behind  which  the  enemy  had  taken  cover  would  prove  an 
insurmountable  obstacle  to  the  advance  of  my  lines,  I at  once  used  every 
effort  to  bring  forward  a battery,  with  the  view  of  driving  the  enemy  from 
his  position.  But  before  the  battery  was  fairly  in  position  this  obstacle  had 
been  overcome  by  a most  gallant  charge  of  the  infantry,  and  the  enemy  were 
•fleeing  in  confusion  up  the  mountain,  closely  pursued  by  every  regiment  of 
the  division  except  the  one  in  reserve,  each  vying  with  the  other  in  the  pur- 
suit. The  enemy  made  another  stand  at  the  crest  of  the  mountain,  but  were 
speedily  dispersed  and  pursued  through  the  pass  and  into  the  plain  below. 
The  victory  was  complete,  and  resulted  not  only  in  the  utter  rout  and  dis- 
persion of  the  forces  opposed  to  us,  but  in  the  capture  of  300  prisoners,  3 
stand  of  colors,  over  700  stand  of  arms  of  the  most  approved  pattern,  1 
piece  of  artillery,  and  a very  large  number  of  knapsacks,  haversacks,  blan- 
kets, etc.  The  advance  of  General  Brooks’  brigade,  of  Smith’s  division,  on 
the  left  of  the  pass,  simultaneously  with  the  advance  of  my  division,  did 
much  toward  the  accomplishment  of  the  work  assigned  to  the  corps,  and 
rendered  our  victory  more  complete  than  it  would  otherwise  have  been. 

Of  the  gallantry  of  the  officers  and  men  under  my  command  I cannot 
speak  too  highly.  Although  greatly  reduced  -in  numbers  by  losses  on  the 
Peninsula,  although  fatigued  by  long  marches  and  constant  service  since  the 
opening  of  the  spring  campaign,  each  regiment — indeed,  every  man — did 
his  whole  duty,  not  reluctantly,  but  with  that  eagerness  and  enthusiasm 
which  rendered  success  certain. 

To  attempt  to  designate  any  regiment,  or  any  regimental  or  line  of- 
ficer, as  being  entitled  to  particular  notice  would  be  an  act  of  injustice  to 
all  others.  I cannot,  however,  without  great  injustice  omit  to  call  attention 
to  the  conduct  of  the  brigade  commanders,  General  Newton,  Colonel  Bart- 
lett, and  Colonel  Torbert,  all  of  whom  led  their  brigades  in  the  action,  and 


1862 


REPORT  OF  MARYLAND  CAMPAIGN 


47 


gave  renewed  evidence  of  their  skill  and  courage.  Colonel  Bartlett,  com- 
manding the  leading  brigade,  was,  on  this,  as  on  all  former  occasions,  con- 
spicuous for  his  gallantry  and  skill  with  which  he  handled  his  troops  under 
a most  galling  fire.  I sincerely  trust  that  both  Colonel  Bartlett  and  Colonel 
Torbert,  commanding  their  respective  brigades,  both  of  whom  have  given 
abundant  proofs  of  their  qualifications  for  the  position  which  they  now 
occupy  as  brigade  commanders,  may  be  rewarded  by  the  promotion  they 
have  so  well  earned. 

I append  a list  of  casualties,  showing  the  number  of  officers  killed,  5 ; 
wounded,  16;  men  killed,  109;  wounded,  381.  Total  killed,  114;  wounded, 
397;  aggregate  loss,  511. 

This  list  embraces  many  of  the  bravest  and  most  gallant  officers  and 
soldiers  of  the  division,  for  a more  particular  reference  to  whom  I respect- 
fully refer  to  the  reports  of  the  brigade  commanders,  which  are  herewith 
inclosed. 

I am  greatly  indebted  to  the  members  of  my  staff,  Major  Rodgers, 
assistant  adjutant-general;  Lieutenants  Guindon  and  Shannon,  aides-de- 
camp,  and  to  Captain  Urquhart,  of  Colonel  Bartlett’s  staff,  for  the  zealous 
manner  in  which  their  respective  duties  were  discharged. 

I am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  Slocum, 

Major-General  Volunteers,  Commanding. 

Lieut.  Col.  Oliver  D.  Greene, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General,  Sixth  Army  Corps.-4 


General  Franklin  reported  that  “the  advance  of  General 
Slocum  was  made  with  admirable  steadiness  through  a well  di- 
rected fire  from  the  enemy’s  batteries  on  the  Mountain.  . 

This  single  charge,  sustained  as  it  was  over  a great  distance,  and 
on  a rough  ascent  of  unusual  steepness,  was  decisive.  The  enemy 
was  driven  in  the  utmost  confusion  from  a position  of  strength 
and  allowed  no  opportunity  for  even  an  attempt  to  rally,  until 
the  Pass  was  cleared  and  in  possession  of  our  troops. 

The  victory  was  complete,  and  its  achievement  followed  so 
rapidly  upon  the  first  attack  that  the  enemy’s  reserves,  although 
pushed  forward  at  the  double-quick,  arrived  but  in  time  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  flight  and  add  confusion  to  the  rout.  Four  hun- 
dred prisoners,  from  seventeen  different  organizations,  seven 
hundred  stand  of  arms,  one  piece  of  artillery,  and  three  stand  of 
colors,  were  captured.  ...  It  was  the  completest  victory 
gained  up  to  that  time  by  any  part  of  the  Army  of  the  Po 
tomac.”24 


48 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


Slocum  was  a conspicuous  figure  in  the  charge,  his  soldierly 
bearing  and  fearless  exposure  of  his  person  to  the  enemy’s  fire 
winning  enthusiastic  praise  from  the  troops  who  fought  by  his 
side.”25 

The  enemy  contending  for  Crampton’s  Pass  was  numerous 
and  from  strong  commands,  including  Munford’s  brigade  of  cav- 
alry in  Pleasant  Valley,  comprising  the  Second  and  Thirteenth 
Virginia  Regiments,  with  Clem’s  battery  and  a section  of  the 


Monuments  at  the  Crest  of  Crampton’s  Pass  to  General  Slocum’s  Men, 
and  War  Correspondents 


Portsmouth  battery  of  naval  howitzers,  supported  by  two  regi- 
ments of  Mahone’s  brigade  of  R.  H.  Anderson’s  division.  Gen- 
eral MeLaws  had,  also,  stationed  the  remainder  of  Mahone’s  bri- 
gade and  the  brigades  of  Semmes  and  Howell  Cobb,  of  his  own 
division,  within  supporting  distance.  General  Cobb  was  in  com- 
mand of  the  Pass,  with  his  strong  forces  well  placed,  and  hidden 
by  the  trees  on  both  sides  of  the  narrow  defile,  with  orders  from 
MeLaws  to  “hold  the  Pass  if  it  cost  every  life  in  my  command.” 


1862 


REPORT  OF  MARYLAND  CAMPAIGN 


49 


Generals  Cobb  and  Semm'es  reported  that  after  their  lines  were 
broken,  all  efforts  to  rally  their  troops  were  unsuccessful.22 

General  Slocum  assailed  a formidable  position  of  the  enemy 
and  its  carrying  was  a brilliant  action,  reported  McClellan. 

President  Lincoln  visited  McClellan  and  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  near  the  Battle-field  of  the  Antietam  in  October,  going 
through  Crampton’s  Pass  on  his  way  thither.  His  attendants, 
from  the  army,  pointed  to  the  enemy’s  position  and  explained 
the  work  done  by  Slocum  and  his  command.  Lincoln  expressed 
astonishment  at  what  had  been  done,  reported  General  Franklin. 

General  Slocum’s  1st  Division  of  General  Franklin’s  Vlth 
Corps  was  composed,  September  14th  to  17th,  of  three  brigades 
of  four  regiments  each,  and  four  batteries  of  artillery,  namely: 


First  Brigade,  Colonel  Albert  T.  A.  Torbert  c-ommander;  with  the  1st 
New  Jersey  Begiment,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Mark  W.  Collet;  2nd  New  Jer- 
sey, Colonel  Samuel  L.  Buck;  3rd  New  Jersey,  Colonel  Henry  W.  Brown; 
and  4th  New  Jersey,  Colonel  William  B.  Hatch.  The  Ilnd  Brigade,  Colonel 
Joseph  J.  Bartlett  commander;  with  the  5th  Maine  Begiment,  Colonel  Na- 
thaniel J.  Jackson;  16th  New  York,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Joel  J.  Seaver;  27th 
New  York,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Alexander  D.  Adams;  and  the  96th  Penn- 
sylvania, Colonel  Henry  L.  Cake.  The  Illrd  Brigade,  Brigadier-General 
John  Newton  commander;  with  the  18th  New  York  Begiment,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  George  B.  Myers;  31st  New  York,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Francis  E. 
Pinto;  32nd  New  York,  Colonel  Boderick  Matheson  and  Major  George  F. 
Lemon ; and  the  95th  Pennsylvania,  Colonel  Gustavus  W.  Town.  Artillery, 
Captain  Emory  Upton;  Maryland  Light,  Battery  A,  Captain  John  W.  Wol- 
cott; Massachusetts  Light,  Battery  A,  Captain  Josiah  Porter;  New  Jersey 
Light,  Battery  A,  Captain  William  Ilexamer;  and  the  Second  United 
States  Battery  I),  Lieutenant  Edward  B.  Williston.26 

General  Slocum  took  great  pride  in  his  artillery  arm,  as  well 
as  in  Lis  infantry  and  other  parts  of  his  command.  Having  been 
several  years  in  the  United  States  artillery  service  as  a young 
officer,  and  two  years  or  more  as  instructor  of  artillery  to  the 
New  York  State  Militia,  he  was  able  to  bring  this  arm  of  his 
command  to  the  same  high  degree  of  discipline  and  efficiency  as 
were  all  the  others  always  exhibited. 

After  his  Battle  of  Crampton’s  Pass,  General  Slocum  with 
his  command  bivouacked  for  the  night  literally  astride  of  South 
Mountain,  occupying  the  hard-won  Crampton ’s  Pass,  and  extend- 
ing through  it  into  Pleasant  Valley  not  far  from  a considerable 

4 


50 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


force  of  the  enemy  that  had  there  assembled.  The  next  morn- 
ing the  other  part  of  the  Sixth  Corps  joined  Slocum  and  formed 
in  line  of  battle  to  attack  the  enemy ; but  he  was,  upon  further 
investigation,  found  by  General  Franklin  so  numerous,  and  oc- 
cupying such  well  chosen  positions,  that  it  was  decided  unwise 
to  lead  an  attack.  Later  in  the  day  the  enemy  withdrew  toward 
Sharpsburg.  September  15th  and  16th  were,  therefore,  passed 
in  accordance  with  McClellan’s  directions,  in  guarding  the  rear 
of  the  Union  Army,  in  more  fully  caring  for  the  wounded,  in 
completing  the  burial  of  the  dead,  and  in  getting  the  much 
needed  rest  from  the  previous  day’s  exhausting  work  by  Slocum 
and  his  men. 

The  evening  of  the  16th  orders  were  received  from  McClel- 
lan directing  that  the  Sixth  Corps  join  the  army  next  morning. 
The  march  was  begun  at  5.30  a.  m.  and  the  distance  of  twelve 
miles  to  the  Battle-field  of  the  Antietam  creek  was  covered  in 
about  four-and-a-half  hours.  This  corps  had  been  needed  near 
the  Union  center  as  a reserve  that  might  be  called  to  the  point 
where  most  needed  but,  on  its  nearing  the  field,  the  Union  right 
was  so  hard  pressed  by  the  enemy  that  it  was  immediately 
stopped  for  support  there.  Two  brigades  of  General  Slocum’s 
division  were  formed  in  column  to  assault  the  woods  that  had 
been  so  hotly  contested  by  Generals  Hooker  and  Sumner,  and 
the  other  brigade  was  formed  as  reserve.  This  enabled  the  Union 
forces  on  the  right  to  reclaim  and  hold  much  ground  that  was 
important  to  them.  Upon  the  arrival  of  these  troops  there  was 
a lull  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  and  General  Sumner,  in  com- 
mand of  the  Union  right,  directed  postponement  of  further  offen- 
sive operations.  McClellan  joined  in  this  order  “as  the  repulse 
of  this  [the  Sixth],  the  only  remaining  corps  available  for  at- 
tack, would  imperil  the  safety  of  the  whole  army.”  The  enemy, 
also,  desired  respite.  Slocum’s  troops  suffered  somewhat  from 
some  further  bombardment  by  the  enemy  to  feel  the  temper  of 
the  Union  forces,  but  they  not  continuing  to  reply  the  enemy 
soon  ceased  firing.  September  18th  more  quiet  prevailed,  and 
the  Union  forces  that  were  best  able  to  work  took  the  wounded 
to  safe  places,  buried  the  dead,  and  prepared  for  renewal  of  the 
battle,  orders  having  been  issued  to  attack  at  daybreak  next 
morning.  But  here,  as  elsewhere,  McClellan  was  too  slow.  But 


1862 


REPORTS  OF  MARYLAND  CAMPAIGN 


51 


the  enemy  had  received  enough  of  battle  at  the  Passes  of  South 
Mountain  and  the  Antietam  Creek.  The  latter  part  of  the  18th, 
Confederate  troops  were  brought  over  the  nearby  Potomac  River 
from  the  Virginia  shore  and  posted  near  the  Union  right  as  a 
ruse ; and  under  cover  of  the  night  the  main  body  of  the  enemy 
retreated  into  Virginia,  leaving  a bold  front  to  the  Union  troops 
meanwhile.  In  the  morning  two  reconnaissances  discovered  well 
stationed  rear  guards  of  the  enemy  strong  enough  to  make  the 
main  body’s  retreat  secure  for  some  length  of  time. 

General  Slocum’s  report  shows  a severe  strain  upon  his 
troops  with  comparatively  small  loss,  namely : 

Headquarters  First  Division,  Sixth  Corps, 

Camp  near  Bakersville,  September  26,  1862. 

Sir:  T have  the  honor  to  report  that,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  17th 
instant,  the  division  under  my  command  left  Crampton ’s  Pass  to  join  the 
main  army,  then  already  engaged  with  the  enemy  near  Sharpsburg.  We 
reached  the  battle-field  about  12  M.,  and  immediately  took  position  in  front 
of  the  white  church,  on  the  Hagerstown  and  Sharpsburg  turnpike,  relieving 
a portion  of  General  Sumner’s  corps.  Our  infantry,  though  not  actively 
engaged,  were  exposed  to  a heavy  artillery  fire  from  the  enemy  until  sun- 
down, and  are  entitled  to  great  credit  for  their  gallantry  under  a severe 
fire,  which  they  were  unable  to  return.  The  artillery  of  the  division,  under 
command  of  First  Lieutenant  Emory  Upton,  Fifth  U.  S.  Artillery,  was  well 
served  and  did  good  execution.  The  batteries  of  Captain  Hexamer,  First 
New  Jersey  Volunteer  Artillery;  Captain  Wolcott,  First  Maryland  Volunteer 
Artillery;  and  Lieutenant  Williston,  Battery  D,  Second  U.  S.  Artillery,  were 
all  engaged,  and  their  fire  proved  very  accurate  and  effective,  twice  silenc- 
ing the  enemy’s  guns,  and  holding  in  check  a large  force  of  his  infantry. 

The  officers  and  men  of  the  division  lay  or  rested  upon  their  arms  in 
line  of  battle  for  over  forty  hours  without  leaving  their  position,  and  deserve 
great  credit  for  their  fortitude  displayed  on  that  occasion. 

I append  a list  of  casualties,  showing  a loss  of  5 men  killed,  2 officers 
and  56  men  wounded,  and  2 men  missing,  making  a total  loss  of  65. 

I am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  Slocum, 

Major-General  Volunteers,  Commanding. 

Lieut.  Col.  Oliver  D.  Greene, 

Asst.  Adj.  Gen.  and  Chief  of  Staff,  Sixth  Army  Corps.27 

The  Union  forces  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Crampton ’s  and 
Turner’s  Pass,  of  South  Mountain,  and  at  the  Antietam  Creek, 
Maryland,  numbered  87,164,  against  97,445  of  the  enemy.  The 
Union  forces  did  not  lose  a flag  or  cannon,  but  they  captured 


52 


MAJOB-GENEBAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


from  the  enemy  13  pieces  of  artillery,  39  flags,  upwards  of  15,000 
stand  of  small  arms,  and  more  than  6,000  prisoners,  besides  the 
fields  of  battle  (McClellan).19 

The  casualties  of  these  battles  were:  Union,  killed,  2,108; 
wounded,  9,549;  missing,  753;  total,  12,390.  Confederate: 
Killed,  2,700;  wounded,  9,024;  missing,  1,800;  total,  13, 524. 113 

Keport  was  received  by  McClellan  September  19th,  that 
Stuart’s  Confederate  cavalry  4,000  strong,  with  10,000  infantry 
and  artillery,  had  appeared  up  the  Potomac  at  Wililamsport, 
Maryland.  This  was  probably  a ruse  to  divide  the  Union  forces 
to  favor  Lee’s  badly  shattered  corps  seeking  rest  in  northern 
Virginia.  McClellan  dispatched  General  Couch  with  good  force, 
however,  to  hasten  to  Williamsport,  also  directing  the  Sixth  Corps 
with  Slocum’s  division  to  keep  within  supporting  distance.  Slo- 
cum was  encamped  for  the  night  of  the  19th  by  the  Potomac  op- 
posite Sheplierdstown,  West  Virginia.  About  midnight  the  20th, 
he  was  called  to  advance  on  Williamsport,  which  place  he  occu- 
pied about  two  days.  Stuart  and  his  forces  made  good  their 
escape  without  giving  the  Union  forces  opportunity  for  an  en- 
gagement. General  Slocum  then  proceeded  down  the  Potomac, 
and  his  division  encamped  at  the  cross  roads  about  a mile  north- 
west of  Bakersville,  Maryland. 

Good  results  of  the  United  States  Signal  Service  were  well 
illustrated  in  the  Battle  of  Antietam,  and  with  the  detachments 
of  Union  troops  following  the  enemy  afterward.  A few  excerpts 
relating  to  our  subject  are  here  given,  viz. : 

Sept.  17,  1862.  At  Hdqrs.  Station,  near  Sharpsburg,  Md. 

To  General  McClellan : 

Reinforcements  are  badly  wanted.  Our  troops  are  giving  away.  I am 
bunting  for  French ’s  and  Slocum ’s  divisions.  If  you  know  where  they 
are,  send  them  immediately.  General  Sumner. 

To  MBN  Station : 

Where  is  General  Sumner?  Major  Myer. 

To  Major  Myer: 

We  are  in  communication  with  General  Sumner. 

MBN  Station. 

To  Major  Myer: 

We  have  found  General  Slocum.  He  is  near  us. 

Pierce  and  Barrett. 


1862 


THE  ARMY  GREATLY  IMPEDED 


53 


To  General  McClellan : 

All  is  quiet  this  morning  so  far.  The  enemy’s  pickets  are  in  front 
of  us.  General  Sumner. 

To  General  McClellan:  18th. 

The  rebels  sent  flag  of  truce  this  morning,  asking  to  bury  their  dead. 
Flag  was  sent  back.  General  Slocum. 

To  Officers  at  Williamsport : 

Ascertain  and  report  if  any  movements  of  the  enemy  have  been  visible 
near  Williamsport  to-day.  Major  Myer. 

To  Major  Myer: 

There  have  been  no  movements  visible.  I report  to  Couch.  Franklin 
is  in  command.  Owen. 

To  General  Franklin,  Williamsport: 

I have  just  sent  you  an  order  to  move  your  command  to  near  Bakers- 
ville;  General  Couch  to  Downsville,  on  the  same  road.  You  can  move  at 
once.  The  orderly  will  meet  you.  E.  B.  Marey,  Chief  of  Staff.23 

At  tlie  termination  of  the  enemy’s  invasion  of  Maryland, 
President  Lincoln  decided  that  this  overt  act  required  more  ac- 
tive measures  by  him  regarding  human  slavery,  the  great  institu- 
tion of  the  Southern  States.  He,  therefore,  published  his  historic 
Proclamation  of  Emancipation.  September  22nd,  and  two  days 
later  this  great  article  of  liberty  was  officially  proclaimed  in  the 
armies  of  the  United  States. 

CHAPTER  XII 

Supply  Delays.  Commands  XIIth  Army  Corps 

The  recent  losses  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  from  battle, 
sickness,  wounds,  other  deaths,  and  expiration  of  term  of  enlist- 
ment, had  been  so  great  that  thorough  reorganization  was  neces- 
sary. This  work  began  at  once,  but  progressed  slowly  from  want 
of  men  and  horses.  Also  most  of  the  men  remaining  could  not 
continue  in  very  active  service  for  want  of  clothing.  A violent 
and  often  fatal  disease  rapidly  spread  among  the  horses  of  the 
different  branches  of  the  service,  to  the  extent  that  the  death  and 
disabling  of  about  four  thousand  were  soon  reported.  Other  ser- 
viceable horses  could  be  obtained  only  in  small  number.  McClel- 
lan wTas  very  active  in  his  efforts  to  place  his  army  upon  a proper 
war  basis.  He  obtained  authority  for  the  cavalry  and  artillery 
officers  to  purchase  the  necessary  horses  for  their  use ; but  the 


54 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


contractors  for  the  main  supply  remained  unable  to  ship  horses 
and  other  supplies  only  in  small  numbers  and  quantities,  while 
the  delays  in  the  railway  deliveries  were  embarrassing.  Such 
were  also  the  conditions  of  the  clothing  supply  for  the  winter. 

General  McClellan,  notwithstanding  his  difficulties  in  getting 
the  army  in  favorable  condition  for  an  autumn  campaign,  had 
repeatedly  received  orders  from  Washington  to  move  against  the 
enemy  who  yet  lingered  not  far  from  him  across  the  Potomac. 
In  his  efforts  to  please  these  superiors  before  his  departure,  he 
placed  the  important  protective  point,  as  they  thought  Harper’s 
Ferry  to  be,  in  charge  of  Major-General  Henry  W.  Slocum,  in 
whom  they  had  implicit  confidence. 

General  Slocum  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Xllth 
Corps,  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  October  15th,  with  request 
that  he  enter  upon  its  command  as  soon  as  practicable.  This  pro- 
motion was  in  acknowledgement  of  his  eminent  ability,  and  desir- 
able soldierly  qualities.  This  corps  formerly  belonged  to  the  Army 
of  Virginia  as  General  N.  P.  Banks’  corps  and,  also,  as  the  Ilnd 
Corps,  its  number  being  changed  September  12th,  one  week  after 
the  merging  of  the  Army  of  Virginia  in  the  Army  of  the  Po- 
tomac. The  Xllth  Army  Corps  had  been  under  command  of 
Brigadier-General  Alpheus  S.  Williams  until  September  15th, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  the  venerable  Major-General  Joseph 
K.  F.  Mansfield,  an  officer  of  large  and  creditable  experience. 
He  was  mortally  wounded  the  next  day  in  the  Battle  of  An- 
tietam,  after  which  the  command  again  devolved  on  General 
A.  S.  Williams. 

The  20th  of  October  General  Slocum  assumed  command  of 
the  Xllth  Army  Corps  when  it  was  on  duty  in  and  around  Har- 
per’s Ferry,  and  General  Williams,  an  able  officer,  was  again 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  1st  Division  of  this  corps,  most 
of  which  division  was  then  on  Maryland  Heights.  General  Slo- 
cum brought  the  discipline  of  this  corps  to  such  high  degree  of 
excellence  as  to  make  the  names  Slocum,  the  Xllth  Army  Corps, 
and  efficiency,  synonymous  terms. 

The  same  day  General  McClellan  issued,  in  triplicate,  to 
Generals  Stoneman  of  the  cavalry  at  Poolesville,  Slocum  at  Har- 
per’s Ferry,  and  Couch  now  commanding  Sumner’s  corps,  a 
circular  informing  them  that  he  was  just  notified  by  two  refugees 


1862 


COMMANDS  XIITH  ARMY  CORPS 


55 


that  a large  force  of  the  enemy  with  artillery  and  cavalry  were 
within  two  miles  of  the  Potomac,  and  moving  toward  the  ford 
two  miles  below  Knoxville  where  there  was  a large  corral  of 
horses ; and  directing  them  to  be  on  the  alert  to  prevent  the  loss 
of  the  horses.  General  Slocnm  hastened  forward  with  the  1st 
and  llnd  Brigades  of  the  Ilnd  Division  of  his  Xllth  Corps,  also 
three  hundred  of  the  6tli  New  York  Cavalry,  and  Knap’s  Penn- 
sylvania battery,  and  they  reconnoitered  the  Loudoun  Valley, 
found  traces  of  the  enemy,  pursued  and  overtook  him  at  Hedges- 
ville,  West  Virginia,  where  they  routed  him,  capturing  a num- 
ber of  prisoners. 

The  25th  of  October  General  Slocum  was  directed  by  Mc- 
Clellan to  move,  the  next  morning,  his  Illrd  Division  under 
General  A.  W.  Whipple,  across  the  river  to  occupy  the  ground 
between  the  bridge  and  Lovettsville.  This  division  was  thus 
detached  from  the  Xllth  Corps  to  accompany  General  Burn- 
side’s corps  into  Virginia  in  pursuit  of  General  Lee’s  army. 
Slocum  was  further  directed  to  keep  the  remainder  of  his  corps 
in  readiness  to  receive  further  orders,  without  taking  down  their 
tents  at  night. 

On  October  26tli.  Slocum  moved  his  Ilnd  Division  from 
Loudoun  Heights  east  of  Harper’s  Perry  into  the  Shenandoah 
Valley.  The  29th  he  moved  this  division  to  Bolivar  Heights  west 
of  the  Ferry,  there  relieving  General  Sumner’s  corps  and  doing 
picket  duty  along  the  south  bank  of  the  Potomac  to  the  Shenan- 
doah River. 

General  Slocum  assigned  the  124th  and  125th  Pennsylvania 
Regiments  to  the  Ilnd  Brigade  of  his  1st  Division  on  October 
26th.  This  brigade  remained  in  Pleasant  Valley  near  Sandy 
Hook,  Maryland,  until  October  30th,  when  it  was  moved  to  Lou- 
doun Heights  and  the  eastern  slope.  The  Illrd  Brigade  remained 
on  Maryland  Heights  at  work  strengthening  the  fortifications 
until  October  29tli  when  it  was  ordered  to  relieve  General  Pitz 
John  Porter  in  guarding  the  country  near  the  Battle-field  of  the 
Antietam.  including  the  hospitals  for  the  wounded  and  sick 
soldiers  who  had  remained  there.  Thus,  with  a much  weakened 
corps  directly  in  hand,  General  Slocum  kept  active  in  visiting 
his  not  widely  scattered  detachments ; and  he  kept  them  active 
in  their  work  of  drilling,  fortifying,  and  in  picketing  duty. 


56 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


The  report  of  Brigadier-General  Rufus  Ingalls,  Chief  Quar- 
termaster of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  date  1st  of  No- 
vember, credited  the  forces  of  Major-General  Henry  W.  Slocum’s 
Xllth  Corps  as  follows : 


Twelfth  Army  Corps. 


CO 

3 


ifi 

O 


Headquarters  of  Corps,  including 
Artillery  of  Hirst  .and 
Second  Divisions  38 


Means  of  Transportation. 


1,170  106  459  121  8 10  54  747 


First  Division — 

General  A.  S.  Williams  . . 572  13,374  444  551  188  1 61  23 

Second  Division — 

Gen.  J.  W.  Geary  436  8,501  480  189  128  1 39  5 


Third  Division — 

Gen  A.  W.  Whipple  272  5,508  171  331  79  23  10  7 215 

Total  1,318  28,553  1,201  1,530  516  33  120  89  962 


With  the  advance  of  the  main  part  of  the  Union  Army  into 
Virginia,  the  Confederate  forces  became  more  active  and  threat- 
ening at  every  available  place.  General  Slocum’s  task  at  Har- 
per’s Ferry  was  not  an  easy  one.  It  required  the  exercise  of 
broad  soldierly  training  and  high  executive  qualities.  He  was 
fully  and  well  prepared  for  his  duties  as  a corps  commander. 
He  had  made  rapid  study  of  the  Xllth  Corps  in  general  and 
in  detail.  He  had  rearranged  a number  of  batteries,  regiments, 
brigades,  divisions  and  officers,  placing  the  weaker  ones  where 
the  duties  likely  to  be  required  of  them  would  be  lighter.  The 
stronger  and  more  experienced  were  placed  for  heavy  and  im- 
portant picket  duty  several  miles  along  the  Potomac  to  guard 
against  the  active  cavalry  detachments  of  the  enemy  which  were 
now  more  frequently  invading  the  region  under  his  authority. 
Fortifications  were  hastily  prepared  of  earth,  trees  and  rocks  on 


1862 


AT  HARPER’S  FERRY  AXD  VICINITY 


57 


the  heights  surrounding  Harper's  Perry  and  covering  ap- 
proaches in  all  directions.  Detachments  of  varying  forces  were 
made,  in  addition  to  those  at  Frederick,  Sliarpsburg,  and  Berlin, 
in  Maryland,  and  at  Keyes’  Ford  and  Keyes’  Gap,  Virginia,  and 
for  reconnaissances  far  and  near,  thus  keeping  well  informed  re- 
garding the  country  and  of  the  enemy’s  trespassers. 

Major-General  George  B.  McClellan  was  relieved  of  the 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  by  the  War  Department 
authorities  at  Washington  November  7th,  upon  his  arrival  at 
Rectortown.  Virginia,  after  he  had  issued  his  commands  for  the 
centering  of  the  army  around  Warrenton  the  8th  and  9th. 
Major-General  Ambrose  E.  Burnside  had  been  chosen  to  succeed 
him  and,  his  corps  being  near,  he  reported  to  McClellan  at  once 
when  the  command  was  turned  over  to  him.  This  was  infor- 
mation necessary  for  all  Corps  commanders  to  know.  That  this 
change  was  a grave  mistake  will  be  made  apparent  on  a later 
page  without  intimation  that  no  change  was  necessary. 

Slocum  made  extended  reconnaissance  November  9th,  with 
his  Ilnd  Division,  up  the  Shenandoah  Valley  to  Rippon,  six 
miles  from  Berryville.  A fleeing  detachment  of  the  enemy  was 
discovered,  which  escaped  but  not  without  losing  to  Slocum’s 
men  a number  of  prisoners,  arms,  horses,  and  beef  cattle.  It  was 
discovered  that  both  of  the  Confederate  Generals  Hill,  Ambrose 
E.  and  David  IT.,  also  Thomas  J.  (Stonewall)  Jackson  had  re- 
cently crossed  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountain  at  Front  Royal,  going 
toward  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  now  under  Burnside.  This  was 
important  information  which  Slocum  transmitted  to  Washington, 
and  to  Burnside.  The  enemy  left  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  five 
regiments  of  cavalry  and  eight  or  ten  pieces  of  artillery,  part  of 
which  force  fled  before  Slocum’s  men. 

Frequent  reports  were  required  of  commanders  regarding 
the  numbers  and  condition  of  their  men  and  arms.  November 
10th,  General  Slocum’s  Xllth  Corps  was  so  scattered  that  there 
remained  at  Harper’s  Ferry  ready  for  duty  only  573  officers, 
with  14,864  enlisted  men,  and  6,393  sick  and  wounded  in  hos- 
pitals and  camp,  and  including  the  few  absent  on  furlough. 
Slocum  had  at  this  date  fifty-one  pieces  of  artillery. 

A threatening  report  from  the  dangerous  Confederate  cav- 
alry under  Stuart  and  Munford  came  to  Slocum  November  12th. 


58 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


This  information  was  transmitted  to  Burnside,  who  turned  it 
over  to  a nearer  officer  for  his  observation  and  possible  action. 
There  were  frequent  transmissions  to,  and  receipts  from,  Wash- 
ington and  different  headquarters,  which  conduced  to  a general 
knowledge  of  the  situation  throughout  the  field  of  all  the  army 
operations. 

Slocum  made  another  reconnaissance  up  the  Shenandoah 
Valley  November  26th  with  600  infantry  and  two  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, going  as  far  as  Charlestown.  A skirmish  was  had  at  Cock- 
rail’s  Mills  with  the  enemy  who  was  “routed  with  injury”  to 
him.  A number  of  prisoners,  arms,  and  horses  were  captured  by 
this  Union  force,  also  a quantity  of  flour.  A cloth  factory  be- 
tween Charlestown  and  ITallstown  was  destroyed.  The  Vllth 
and  Xllth  Virginia  Cavali'y  were  also  met,  routed,  and  their 
camp  was  destroyed.  Return  was  made  without  casualty  to  this 
detachment,  the  members  of  which  much  enjoyed  the  expedition 
as  a pleasant  change  from  guard  duty  where  they  were  being 
often  harassed  by  the  enemy’s  cavalry  which  was  without  serious 
harm  but  no  opportunity  offered  to  retaliate  at  the  time.  Alto- 
gether the  expedition  was  quite  like  a holiday  excursion  to  them. 

Upon  the  return  of  this  detachment,  General  Slocum  made 
returns  to  Henry  W.  Halleek,  General-in-Chief,  Washington,  of 
the  information  gained  from  this  and  other  sources  regarding 
General  T.  J.  (Stonewall)  Jackson’s  movements  with  his  30,000 
men,  the  indications  being  that  he  might  cross  the  Potomac  be- 
tween Harper’s  Ferry  and  Washington,  and  destroy  railway 
communication  if  he  did  no  other  harm.  Thereupon  General 
George  W.  Morell  at  Hagerstown,  Maryland,  was  ordered  to 
patrol  the  Potomac  with  cavalry.  The  28th  of  November  Gen- 
eral Halleek  telegraphed  Slocum  asking : 1 ‘ What  of  the  rebel 
forces?  Anything  about  Jackson?”  Slocum  replied  on  the  30th, 
that  the  pickets  of  the  enemy  at  his  front  had  again  disappeared, 
and  his  scouts  reported  that  Jackson  had  left  the  lower  Shenan- 
doah Valley;  that  he  passed  through  Strasburg  Wednesday,  and 
w*as  moving  toward  Staunton  ; also  that  four  contrabands  (South- 
ern negroes,  former  slaves)  came  to  him  this  morning  with  the 
same  report. 

As  General  Burnside  advanced  with  the  main  part  of  the 
army,  rapidly  moving  detachments  of  Confederates,  large  and 


1862 


IN  THE  SHENANDOAH  VALLEY 


59 


small,  became  even  more  active.  The  authorities  at  Washington 
also  became  more  active  in  their  inquiries  from  the  scattered 
commands  regarding  these  raids.  Slocum  continued  his  surveil- 
lance of  the  Potomac  and  Shenandoah  regions  particularly.  He 
reported  to  Halleck  that  he  had  sent  General  Geary,  of  his  Ilnd 
Division,  with  about  4,000  infantry  and  artillery,  with  instruc- 
tions to  go  up  the  Shenandoah  to  Winchester  if  he  deemed  it 
prudent.  He  also  reported  that  he  had  not  up  to  that  date,  De- 
cember 4th,  received  any  cavalry  with  which  to  facilitate  recon- 
naissances. The  next  day  he  reported  to  Washington  that  four 
deserters  from  the  enemy  had  come  to  tell  that  his  reeonnoitering 
force  had  arrived  at  Winchester.  This  force  returned  Decem- 
ber 8th,  and  General  Slocum  at  once  reported  to  Burnside  that 
it  passed  through  Berryville,  Winchester,  and  Bunker  Hill ; that 
it  had  captured  125  prisoners,  including  four  officers,  killed  four 
and  wounded  twenty  of  the  enemy.  There  was  no  Union  loss  of 
men  or  property.  General  Geary  reported  that  Jackson’s  com- 
mand passed  through  Thornton’s  Gap  about  the  first  of  Decem- 
ber and  went  towards  Fredericksburg,  Burnside’s  objective 
point,  and  the  two  Generals  Hill  went  the  same  way.  Jt  was 
also  gathered  that  the  combined  forces  of  these  three  commands 
did  not  exceed  at  that  time  35,000  men. 

CHAPTER  XIII 

Harper ’s  Ferry.  In  the  Grand  Reserve 

Upon  his  assuming  command,  General  Burnside  divided  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  into  four  Grand  Divisions  composed  as 
follows : The  Ilnd  and  IXth  Army  Corps  to  form  the  Right 
Grand  Division  under  command  of  Major-General  E.  V.  Sum- 
ner ; the  1st  and  YIth  Corps  to  form  the  Left  Grand  Division 
under  command  of  Major-General  William  B.  Franklin;  the 
Illrd  and  Vth  Corps  to  form  the  Central  Grand  Division  under 
command  of  Major-General  Joseph  Hooker.  All  three  divisions 
were  for  unhampered  advance  against  the  Confederate  army. 
Also  there  was  to  be  a reserve  force,  called  the  Grand  Reserve 
for  what  the  War  Department  considered  the  most  important 
work,  the  more  immediate  defense  of  Washington.  This  reserve 
was  at  first  composed  of  the  Xlth  Corps  under  Major-General 


60 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


Oliver  0.  Howard,  to  be  increased  if  necessary  by  such  other 
forces  as  might  be  assigned  to  it  from  time  to  time,  all  to  be  under 
the  general  command  of  Major-General  Franz  Sigel.  To  this 
Grand  Reserve  Major-General  Slocum  and  the  principal  part  of 
his  Xllth  Corps  were  called  December  9tli,  the  call  dispatch 
bearing  date  3 a.  m.  when  General  Burnside  was  about  to  attack 
Fredericksburg. 

General  Slocum  was  advised  of  the  best  road  to  take  from 
Harper’s  Ferry  through  to  Dumfries,  a few  miles  north  of 
Burnside’s  headquarters,  to  aid  in  the  defense  of  Washington 
principally,  as  Confederate  cavalry  were  making  frequent  and 
annoying  raids  upon  many  places  in  that  vicinity.  Hastily  form- 
ing his  lines  for  the  march,  Slocum  and  his  troops  passed  over 
the  pontoon  bridge  across  the  Shenandoah  River  a little  above 
Harper’s  Ferry,  thence  through  Hillsborough,  Wheatland,  Lees- 
burg, and  /Chantilly  to  Fairfax  Court  House,  where  one  division 
arrived  December  13th.  Here  Slocum  telegraphed  to  Halleck, 
at  Washington,  that  inasmuch  as  he  was  obliged  to  leave  his 
Purnell  Legion  and  the  Third  Delaware  Regiment  at  Frederick, 
Maryland,  and  his  Fifth  Maryland  regiment  at  Harper’s  Ferry, 
for  the  protection  of  those  places,  one  of  his  best  brigade  com- 
manders now  had  but  two  regiments;  and  Slocum  requested  three 
or  four  regiments  sent  to  him  from  troops  at  Washington  or 
elsewhere  that  could  be  spared.  This  request  was  complied  with 
by  troops  sent  from  Washington  by  water,  and  Slocum  received 
them  by  way  of  Aquia  Creek. 

The  roads  were  in  very  bad  condition,  and  at  Fairfax  Court 
House  it  was  desirable  that  Slocum’s  artillery  and  cavalry  horses 
be  shod;  but  his  call  was  urgent,  and  he  was  about  to  resume 
the  march  when  he  received  dispatch  from  General  Sigel  re- 
questing him  to  retain  only  three  wagons  for  each  regiment- 
one  for  officers,  one  for  cooking  utensils  for  the  rank  and  file, 
and  the  other  for  small  arms  ammunition  to  contain  ten  boxes, 
all  other  necessary  ammunition  to  be  put  in  extra  wagons — 
brigade  and  division  staff  one  wagon ; corps  staff  and  Grand  Re- 
serve Division  Headquarters  two  wagons,  respectively;  also  to 
send  all  his  baggage  to  Alexandria  to  be  there  transferred  to 
Aquia  Creek  by  water;  to  take  two  days’  provisions  besides  eat- 


1862 


IN  THE  GRAND  DEFENSE  RESERVE 


61 


tie;  and  to  change  the  route  of  his  march  to  Stafford  Court 
House,  nearer  the  place  of  battle.  Another  dispatch  from  Gen- 
eral Sigel  was  received  the  14th  upon  his,  Sigel’s,  arrival  at 
Stafford  Court  House  at  6 p.  Mv  which  reads  in  part  “I  invite 
your  attention  again  to  the  terrible  condition  the  roads  are  in.’’ 
Slocum’s  command  resumed  the  march  early  next  morning,  but 
his  progress  was  necessarily  very  slow  on  account  of  the  deep 
and  tenacious  mud. 

The  day  that  Slocum's  first  division  arrived  at  Fairfax 
Court  House,  Burnside’s  Battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Virginia,  was 
being  fought  with  the  advantage  all  in  favor  of  the  Confeder- 
ates. In  the  afternoon  of  December  13th  General  Franklin  of 
the  Left  Grand  Division  dispatched  to  Burnside  that  his  left 
flank  was  in  danger  of  being  turned,  and  asked,  “What  hope  is 
there  of  getting  Sigel  or  Slocum  across  the  river?”  In  Frank- 
lin’s sore  distress  he  longed  for  Slocum,  his  former  right  arm. 

On  December  16th,  Sigel  telegraphed  to  Slocum  to  remain 
where  he  was  (between  Wolf  Run  Shoals  and  Dumfries)  ; to  stop 
his  baggage  at  Alexandria ; to  keep  his  cavalry  well  out  to  the 
right;  and  to  cal]  his  (Sigel’s)  cavalry  to  his  (Slocum’s)  com- 
mand, and  to  order  provisions  and  forage  sent  to  Fairfax 
Station. 

The  General-in-chief  of  the  Confederate  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia,  Robert  E.  Lee,  was  kept  constantly  informed  by  his 
cavalry  and  signal  corps  of  General  Slocum’s  whereabouts,  as 
shown  by  Lee’s  official  reports. 

General  Slocum’s  headquarters  remained  at  the  Village  of 
Fairfax  Court  House  for  some  length  of  time.  His  picket  lines 
were  very  long,  and  for  greater  protection  his  command  was  di- 
vided into  picket  and  more  defensive  centers,  Dumfries  being 
among  the  more  important,  next  to  Fairfax  Court  House. 

On  December  27th  Slocum  received  dispatch  from  Colonel 
Charles  Candy,  commanding  a Xllth  Corps  brigade  at  Dumfries, 
that  he  was  attacked  and  needed  reinforcements,  which  Slocum 
started  immediately;  but  he  soon  recalled  them  on  learning  that 
the  enemy  had  been  repulsed  by  Candy.  The  enemy  in  this  skir- 
mish numbered  about  2,500  cavalry  with  artillery  under  General 
Fitzhugh  Lee.  December  28th  Slocum’s  advance  line  sighted 


62 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1862 


the  enemy’s  cavalry  and  artillery  at  a distance  of  about  three 
miles  from  Wolf  Run  Shoals;  but  they  escaped  and,  Slocum  pass- 
ing on  to  Dumfries,  telegraphed  from  there  to  the  commanding 
general,  Burnside,  at  Falmouth,  as  a suggestion  to  other  com- 
manders, that  his,  Slocum’s,  disposition  of  troops  would  be  such 
that  the  enemy  could  not  come  his  way  “without  a fight,”  Lee 
having  escaped  between  other  commands. 

The  report  of  the  organization  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
December  31,  showed  the  following  composition  of  Major-General 
Henry  W.  Slocum’s  XHth  Corps,  viz.: 

Escort  of  the  commanding  general  (Slocum),  12th  Illinois  Cavalry, 
Company  A,  Captain  P.  E.  Fisher. 

1st  Division,  Brigadier-General  Alpheus  S.  Williams;  1st  Brigade, 
Colonel  Joseph  F.  Knipe,  composed  of  infantry  regiments  as  follows:  5th 
Connecticut,  Colonel  George  D.  Chapman ; 10th  Maine,  Colonel  George  L. 
Beal;  28th  New  York,  Lieutenant-Colonel  E.  W.  Cook;  46th  Pennsylvania, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  James  L.  Self  ridge,  and  the  128th  Pennsylvania,  Colonel 
J.  A.  Mathews.  Ilnd  Brigade,  Brigadier-General  Thomas  L.  Kane;  with 
the  20th  Connecticut,  Colonel  Samuel  Boss;  123rd  New  York,  Colonel  A. 
L.  McDougall;  124tli  Pennsylvania,  Colonel  J.  W.  Hawley;  and  the  125th 
Pennsylvania,  Colonel  Jacob  Higgins.  Illrd  Brigade,  Colonel  John  K. 
Murphy;  with  the  27th  Indiana,  Colonel  Silas  Colgrove;  2nd  Massachu- 
setts, Major  C.  B.  Mudge;  13th  New  Jersey,  Colonel  E.  A.  Carman;  107th 
New  York,  Colonel  A.  S.  Diven;  29th  Pennsylvania,  Major  Michael  Scott; 
and  the  3rd  Wisconsin  Regiment,  Lieutenant-Colonel  W.  Hawley.  Artillery, 
Captain  Robert  H.  Fitzhugli;  with  the  First  New  York,  Battery  K,  Lieu- 
tenant E.  L.  Bailey;  First  New  York,  Battery  M,  Lieutenant  C.  E.  Wine- 
gar;  and  the  Fourth  United  States,  Battery  F,  Lieutenant  E.  D.  Muhlen- 
burg.  Cavalry:  First  Maine,  Company  Id,  Captain  George  S.  Summat; 
and  the  First  Michigan,  Company  L,  Captain  Melvin  Brewer. 

The  Ilnd  Division,  Brigadier-General  John  W.  Geary;  1st  Brigade, 
Colonel  Charles  Candy:  with  the  5th  Ohio  Regiment,  Colonel  John  H. 
Patrick;  7th  Ohio,  Colonel  William  R.  Creighton;  29th  Ohio,  Colonel  Lewis 
P.  Buckley;  66th  Ohio,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Eugene  Powell;  28th  Penn- 
sylvania, Captain  Joseph  B.  Copeland;  147th  Pennsylvania,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Ario  Pardee;  12th  Illinois  Cavalry,  Colonel  Has- 

brouek  Davis;  1st  Maryland  Cavalry,  three  companies,  Captain  J.  H. 

Cook.  Ilnd  Brigade,  Colonel  Joseph  M.  Sudsburg:'  with  3rd  Maryland 
Infantry,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gilbert  P.  Robinson;  60th  New  York,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel John  C.  O.  Redington;  and  the  145th  New  York,  Major  B. 
L.  Van  Wagenen.  Illrd  Brigade,  Brigadier-General  George  S.  Greene: 
with  the  78th  New  York  Regiment,  Major  H.  C.  Blanchard;  102nd  New 
York,  Lieutenant-Colonel  J.  C.  Lane;  137th  New  York,  Colonel  David 

Ireland;  149th  New  York,  Major  Abel  G.  Cook;  109th  Pennsylvania,  Colonel 


1863  IN  FRONT  DEFENSE  OF  WASHINGTON 


63 


H.  J.  Stainrook;  and  the  111th  Pennsylvania,  Lieutenant-Colonel  George  A. 
Cobham.  Artillery,  Major  L.  Kieffer : Sixth  Maine  Battery,  Lieutenant 
Edwin  Dow;  Pennsylvania  Battery  E,  Captain  J.  M.  Knap;  and  Pennsyl- 
vania Battery  E,  Captain  B.  B.  Hampton.  Cavalry:  First  Maine,  Company 
M,  Captain  G.  M.  Brown. 

Different  parts  of  this  Xllth  Corps  were  on  more  distant 
duties,  and  are  not  enumerated  here. 

During  the  first  part  of  January,  1863,  General  Burnside 
prepared  for  another  attack  on  the  enemy  at  Fredericksburg  and, 
as  in  his  former  unwise  plan  of  attack,  he  wanted  General  Slo- 
cum’s aid.  January  13th  he  dispatched  to  Slocum  at  his  head- 
quarters, Fairfax  Court  House  (where  he  had  continued  to  guard 
the  advance  defense  of  Washington  throughout  a wide  range 
westward  from  the  Potomac)  to  have  his  XII th  Corps  in  readi- 
ness to  move  to  his,  Burnside’s,  support  in  twelve  hours’  notice, 
with  three  days’  cooked  rations  in  haversacks,  and  from  six  to 
eight  days’  bread  and  small  rations  in  wagons,  and  with  beef 
cattle  for  that  length  of  time.  But,  as  before,  the  enemy  dis- 
cerned Burnside's  intentions,  and  began  to  strongly  threaten 
Harper’s  Ferry  and  other  Union  forces  guarding  Washington; 
and  Burnside  saw  that  he  must  get  permission  from  Washington 
to  call  Slocum  to  his  support.  Such  permission  was  granted 
January  17th,  and  Burnside  notified  Slocum  that  he  need  not 
commence  his  march  until  the  next  Monday.  January  19th  at 
3.25  p.  m.  another  dispatch  was  received  from  Burnside  directing 
Slocum  to  move  his  command  “with  all  speed  possible  without 
breaking  down  his  men,  to  the  vicinity  of  Dumfries  where  he 
would  receive  further  orders.” 

Copious  rains  had  fallen,  but  the  Xllth  Corps  entered 
nevertheless  boldly  upon  its  part  of  the  “Mud  March,”  though 
not  to  be  defeated  in  humiliation  like  Burnside  in  his  further 
unwise  efforts  in  the  mud  nearly  opposite  Fredericksburg.  The 
1st  Brigade  and  the  6th  Maine  Battery  of  Slocum’s  Ilnd  Divi- 
sion had  garrisoned  the  post  at  Dumfries  for  some  weeks,  and 
had  near  there  an  extended  picket  line.  The  main  part  of  this 
division,  and  the  1st  Division  started  from  Fairfax  Court  House 
duty  late  in  the  afternoon  of  January  19th  and  took  different 
ways  to  avoid  each  other’s  stirring  of  the  mud. 


64 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


The  1st  Division  halted  for  the  night  two  miles  beyond  Wolf 
Run  Shoals  and  by  Occoquan  Creek.  The  next  day  the  march 
was  continued  to  Dumfries.  January  21st  a three  miles’  march 
took  the  division  to  Chopawamsic  Creek  where  it  was  obliged  to 
bivouac  during  the  night  while  a bridge  was  being  built  above 
the  high  flood  waters.  Upon  arrival  at  Aquia  Creek  the  next 
day  its  flood  was  too  high  to  cross,  and  the  division  was  again 
compelled  to  bivouac  in  the  mud.  Part  of  the  men  were  without 
shelter,  and  most  of  them  without  rations,  the  supply  train  being 
deep  in  the  mud  three  or  four  miles  in  the  rear.  January  23rd 
Aquia  Creek  was  crossed,  and  the  march  was  extended  to  Staf- 
ford Court  House  where  the  division  went  into  camp ; and  it 
there  remained  on  guard  duty  during  the  month. 

The  Ilnd  Division  marched  three  miles  from  Fairfax  Court 
House  in  the.  evening  of  January  19th,  and  fifteen  miles  to  Dum- 
fries the  20th.  The  next  day  only  three  or  four  miles  could  be 
marched  because  of  the  Hood  of  Quantico  Creek.  January  22nd 
return  was  made  to  the  Quantico,  and  the  march  was  continued 
to  the  Chopawamsic,  a distance  of  four  miles,  through  mud 
nearly  impassable.  The  next  day  the  march  extended  to  Aquia 
Creek,  four  miles  further ; and  the  24th  another  four  miles  to 
Stafford  Court  House,  where  it,  also,  took  up  guard  duty  near 
the  other  division. 

This  exceedingly  difficult,  and  fruitless,  march  of  General 
Slocum  was  thought  by  the  Confederate  commanding  general, 
Lee,  worthy  of  his  report,  in  order  to  keep  Slocum’s  advance  in 
the  mind  of  his  generals.  The  march  was  only  in  keeping  with 
General  Burnside’s  unwise  decision  to  advance  on  the  enemy 
through  such  nearly  impassable  mud ; which  efforts  were  soon 
stopped  by  the  protests  of  Burnside’s  nearby  generals.  General 
Slocum  made  no  formal  complaint  against  Burnside;  but  the 
generals  of  Burnside’s  three  Grand  Divisions  carried  complaints 
to  the  authorities  at  Washington.  The  result  of  the  investigation 
that  followed  was  the  cause  of  General  Slocum’s  former  com- 
mander, the  brave  and  efficient  Major-General  William  B.  Frank- 
lin, leaving  the  army.  General  Burnside’s  usefulness  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  being  at  an  end,  he  was  transferred  to  a 
southwestern  command. 


1863 


GUARDING  AND  RECRUITING  DUTIES 


65 


CHAPTER  XIY 

Prepares  for  Chancellorsville  Campaign 

Major-General  Joseph  Hooker  succeeded  General  Burnside 
in  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  January  26th,  1863. 
The  Chief  Quartermaster’s  report  at  this  date  gave  the  transpor- 
tation facilities  of  General  Slocum’s  XHtli  Corps  as  follows: 
Wagons,  450;  ambulances,  125;  team  and  ambulance  horses, 
1,185;  cavalry  horses,  171;  artillery  horses,  656;  mules,  1,270; 
total  number  of  animals,  3,282. 

A period  of  rest  was  now  enforced  upon  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  by  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  and  the  necessity  for 
reorganization  from  losses  in  battle,  and  expiration  of  terms  of 
enlistment.  To  this  last  named  need  the  new  commanding  gen- 
eral gave  prompt  and  energetic  attention.  Reports  were  required 
from  officers  showing  character  of  their  commands  in  detail  Jan- 
uary 31st,  1863.  The  report  of  General  Slocum’s  Twelfth  Corps 
was  quite  like  the  report  of  the  month  before,  given  on  a pre- 
ceding page,  excepting  a few  changes  of  lower  officers,  with  some 
new  recruits. 

Notwithstanding  the  severe  weather,  there  was  sufficient 
exercise  of  mind  and  body,  in  army  schools  including  military 
recitations  with  ample  practical  examples  in  correct  camp  and 
picket  duties,  with  the  requirement  of  constant  thoughtfulness 
conducive  to  good  health,  and  to  self  control  at  all  times  and 
particularly  in  emergencies ; and  in  all  forms  of  military  exer- 
cises. 

By  the  report  of  February  2nd  it  is  shown  that  the  lesser 
part  of  the  XHtli  Corps,  consisting  of  one  division  and  one 
brigade,  was  stationed  near  Stafford  Court  House,  fronting  west, 
deriving  the  quartermaster’s  supplies  from  Hope  Landing  five 
miles  distant,  and  the  commissary  supplies  from  Brooke’s  Sta- 
tion four  miles  distant.  One  brigade  of  the  Ilnd  Division  was 
stationed  at  Aquia  Creek  Landing,  convenient  to  all  supplies. 
The  main  position  extended  its  line  of  infantry  pickets  from 
Potomac  Creek  to  Aquia  Creek,  connecting  with  the  pickets  of 
General  Meade’s  Yth  Corps. 

The  division  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  into  Four  Grand 


66 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


Divisions  by  Burnside  was  discontinued  by  the  new  commanding 
general  February  5,  1863,  the  War  Department  concurring.  It 
was  thought  that  this  doubling  of  army  corps  impeded  the  dis- 
patch of  its  current  business ; and  that  the  service  the  army  was 
likely  to  be  called  on  to  perform  would  be  adverse  to  the  move- 
ments and  operations  of  heavy  columns.  From  this  date  each 
corps  was  to  be  considered  a unit  for  the  organization  of  the 
artillery. 

General  Slocum,  as  part  of  the  Grand  Reserve,  had  been 
reporting  to  General  Sigel;  but  upon  Sigel’s  general  order  an- 
nouncing discontinuance  of  the  Grand  Division  plan,  Slocum 
was  to  report  directly  to  army  headquarters.  In  Sigel’s  order 
he  “sincerely  thanked  Major-General  Slocum  for  his  assistance 
and  constant  operation  while  serving  in  the  Grand  Reserve.” 

The  demands  for  special  service  continued  to  scatter  Slo- 
cum ’s  command.  This  required  alertness  at  many  places  to  avoid 
accidental  conflicts  with  Union  cavalry  and  other  detachments 
which  were  often  passing  near  his  lines  on  their  way  to  special 
service,  and  liable  to  be  mistaken  for  scouting  parties  of  the 
enemy.  This  rearrangement  of  the  positions  of  camps  kept  the 
troops  active,  and  gave  new  zest  to  alertness  on  picket  duty  in 
new  places.  February  9th,  the  picket  line  of  infantry  of  the 
Xlth  and  Xllth  Corps  extended  from  Embry’s  to  Aquia  Creek, 
making  necessary  the  detailing  several  times  each  twenty-four 
hours  of  3,000  or  more  soldiers  for  this  important  duty. 

New  soldiers  had  been  received  from  time  to  time  and,  up 
to  February  10th,  General  Slocum’s  Xllth  Corps  had  been 
recruited  to  664  officers  and  12,184  enlisted  men  present  for  duty, 
while  his  present  and  absent  forces  aggregated  21,860.  At  this 
time  he  had  34  pieces  of  artillery.  Two  days  later  a squadron  of 
cavalry  was  sent  to  him,  by  the  First  Division  of  the  Cavalry 
Corps,  to  serve  as  orderlies,  messengers,  and  an  emergency  force 
for  reconnaissance. 

Road  improvement  demanded  the  attention  of  the  different 
corps  from  February  15th,  in  order  that  the  road  from  the  Fitz- 
hugh  House,  a noted  landmark,  to  the  bridge  across  Potomac 
'Creek  half  a mile  below  the  railway  bridge,  thence  to  Stafford 
Court  House  passing  about  one  mile  west  of  Brooke’s  Station,  be 


1863 


GOOD  DISCIPLINE  EXEMPLIFIED 


67 


put  in  such  condition  as  to  be  practicable  for  artillery  during 
the  muddy  seasons.  The  part  of  this  road  between  Accakeek 
Creek  and  Stafford  Court  House  was  assigned  to  General  Slo- 
cum’s command  at  this  place,  part  of  the  distance  to  be  cordu- 
royed double  track.  Severe  storms  interrupted  the  progress  of 
this  road  improvement. 

Before  this  muddy  work  was  completed,  inspecting  officers 
of  high  rank  were  detailed  by  the  commanding  general  to  visit 
each  regiment  without  announcing  their  coming,  and  to  immedi- 
ately order  the  regiment  formed  in  line  for  general,  and  special, 
inspection.  There  were  three  hundred  and  twenty-four  infantry 
commands  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  at  this  time,  from  which 
number  only  eleven  received  honorable  mention  in  the  General 
Orders  November  18th  that  were  issued  after  the  inspection  was 
completed.  These  eleven  regiments  “earned  high  commendation 
from  inspection  officers’’  entitling  them  to  additional  privileges, 
leaves  of  absence,  or  furloughs.  The  army  was  then  composed  of 
seven  army  corps  of  infantry,  and  four  of  the  regiments  thus 
honored  belonged  to  Slocum’s  XHth  Corps  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  it  was  at  this  time  about  one-third  smaller  than  any  of 
the  other  corps.  General  Slocum’s  relatively  numerous  honor 
regiments  were  the  10th  Maine,  2nd  Massachusetts,  111th  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  3rd  Wisconsin.  This  high  proportion  of  merits 
was  due  to  Slocum’s  excellent,  and  persistent  discipline,  and 
drillings. 

The  enemy  continued  watchful  for  a vantage  opportunity. 
With  a change  of  a XHth  Corps  picket  line  toward  the  last  of 
February,  a scout  brought  information  that  the  enemy’s  Prince 
William  Cavalry  with  five  pieces  of  artillery,  and  the  Black 
Horse  Cavalry  at  Warrenton,  contemplated  a raid  on  Dumfries 
to  capture  the  commissary  and  other  stores  there.  General  Slo- 
cum was  well  prepared  to  receive  them,  and  their  coming  would 
have  been  welcomed;  but  their  discretion  in  not  coming  showed 
their  wisdom.  Movements  of  the  enemy’s  forces  of  cavalry, 
infantry  and  artillery,  aggregating  five  thousand  under  General 
Fitzhugh  Lee,  and  other  strong  forces  under  General  T.  J. 
(Stonewall)  Jackson,  were  reported  as  being  near  Fredericks- 
burg. At  this  time  General  Robert  E.  Lee  reported  to  “The 


68 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


President  of  the  Confederate  States’"  the  supposed  position  of 
the  Union  forces,  being  positive  of  only  General  Slocum’s  com- 
mand.29 

It  was  impossible  for  General  Slocum  to  keep  the  necessary 
number  of  cavalry  in  his  central  command  for  efficient  duty, 
much  less  for  reconnoitering  the  enemy,  on  account  of  the  con- 
stant tendency  to  concentrate  this  arm  in  General  Stoneman’s 
Cavalry  Corps,  and  the  constant  call  by  Slocum’s  necessarily 
scattered  forces  for  additional  detachments  for  their  support. 
The  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry  was  on  these  accounts  withdrawn 
from  Slocum’s  command  at  Dumfries  March  2nd,  which  left  an 
important  part  of  the  country  open  to  the  unimpeded  approach 
of  the  enemy. 

On  March  4th  there  was  a sharp  skirmish  between  the  enemy 
and  the  Eighth  New  York  Cavalry  then  on  picket  duty  at  Inde- 
pendent Hill,  Prince  William  County,  Virginia,  about  nine  miles 
from  Dumfries,  in  which  two  of  the  latter  were  killed,  one 
wounded,  and  fifteen  taken  prisoners.  It  appeared  that  Colonel 
W.  R.  Creighton  then  commanding  the  1st  Brigade  of  General 
Slocum’s  Ilnd  Division  defending  the  post  at  Dumfries,  and  the 
cavalry  assailed  on  picket,  did  not  have  his  command  well  in 
hand ; which  condition  was  rectified  immediately  upon  General 
Slocum’s  receipt  of  the  report  of  the  skirmish.  This  illustrated 
the  necessity  for  the  commanding  general  to  have  detail  obser- 
vation of  every  part  of  his  scattered  command,  even  to  minor 
picket  lines.  General  Slocum  placed  the  command  of  Dumfries 
in  charge  of  Colonel  Charles  Candy  who  exercised  great  alertness 
against  the  ever  vigilant  enemy  so  likely  to  raid  this  important 
region.  Frequent  and  detailed  reports  were  required.  Colonel 
Candy  reported  direct  to  General  Slocum  March  9th  that  a red 
signal  had  been  displayed  between  the  Brentsville  Road  and 
Quantic-o  Creek,  four  miles  from  Dumfries,  and  that  his  pickets 
had  fired  on  a squad  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  there. 

On  March  10th  there  were  reported  in  the  XIIth  Army 
Corps  11,933  enlisted  men  ready  for  action.  The  11th,  Colonel 
Candy  reported  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  H.  C.  Rodgers,  General 
Slocum’s  Assistant  Adjutant-General,  that  the  cavalry  pickets 
of  the  command  on  his  right  had  been  taken  away  by  their  com- 


1363 


DESERTIONS.  CHANGES.  BADGES. 


69 


mander,  thus  leaving  the  entire  country  between  the  Quantico 
and  Occoquan  open  to  the  enemy;  and  he  asked  what  he  should 
do  for  patrols.  Later  the  same  day  it  was  reported  that  twenty 
cavalrymen  were  to  patrol  the  road  by  the  telegraph  line  every 
six  hours. 

Active  preparation  for  advancing  in  full  force  against  the 
enemy  had  been  carried  forward  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
during  the  winter  by  the  commanding  general,  Joseph  Hooker, 
ably  seconded  by  his  corps  commanders.  The  discipline  had 
been  thorough,  even  severe  at  times,  with  the  requirement  of 
greater  vigilance  on  picket  and  all  other  duties.  At  the  dawn- 
ing of  the  spring  it  was  not  strange  that  the  thoughts  and  de- 
sires of  many  enlisted  men  should  long  for  freedom  from  such 
exacting  cares.  A desertion  was  reported,  and  others  were  feared. 
Favored  by  General  Slocum,  and  other  corps  commanders,  the 
Secretary  of  War  instructed  General  Hooker  to  have  the  com- 
mander of  each  regiment,  battery,  independent  battalion,  and 
company  serving  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  prepare  immedi- 
ately duplicate  lists  of  deserters  then  absent  from  their  respec- 
tive commands,  and  to  transmit  the  same  without  delay  to  the 
Provost  Marshal-General.  Also  a stringent  order  was  repeated 
for  more  humanitarian  care  of  horses  and  mules  by  teamsters. 

For  greater  facility  in  carrying  shelter  tents  and  extra 
rations  during  the  proposed  general  advance,  pack-saddles  had 
been  provided  for  the  different  corps,  General  Slocum  receiving 
two  hundred  and  fifty-seven. 

Colonel  Charles  Candy  again  called  for  cavalry  March  20th 
to  beat  off  squads  of  the  enemy  which  were  pressing  residents  of 
the  country  into  the  Confederate  service,  and  were  despoiling 
and  driving  Union  families  from  their  homes. 

Commanding  General  Hooker  was  very  fortunate  in  having 
as  his  chief  of  staff  Major-General  Daniel  Butterfield,  who  was 
untiring  in  aiding  in  devising  ways  and  means  of  putting  and 
continuing  the  army  in  the  best  possible  condition  of  efficiency 
within  bounds  of  simplicity;  and  he  was  greatly  aided  in  this 
by  the  War  Department  and  the  corps  commanders.  The  21st 
of  March,  acting  on  suggestion  received  from  a piece  of  flannel 
stitched  to  the  caps  of  General  P.  A.  Kearney’s  division  of  the 


70 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


Third  Corps,  they  issued  a circular  providing  for  the  ready 
recognition  of  the  corps  and  divisions  to  which  soldiers  belonged 
for  the  purpose  of  preventing  injustice  by  mistake  in  reports  of 
straggling,  misconduct,  and  otherwise.  This  circular  directed 
the  chief  quartermaster  to  supply,  at  the  earlest  practicable  mo- 
ment, serviceable  metal  badges  that  could  be  secured  to  the  top, 
or  above  the  forepiece  of  the  cap  or  hat  of  every  soldier.  The 
form  of  the  badge  distinguished  the  corps  then  in  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  as  follows : The  1st  Corps,  a circular  plate ; the 
Ilnd,  an  upright  trefoil;  the  Illrd,  a square  or  lozenge  turned 
diagonally;  the  Vtli,  a maltese  cross;  the  Ylth,  a cross  of  uniform 
straight  arms;  the  Xlth,  a crescent  with  both  points  upright; 
and  the  Xllth,  a five  pointed  star.  In  size  these  badges  were 
at  first  required  to  be  full  one  inch  in  diameter  so  as  to  be 
readily  distinguishable.  They  were  in  three  colors  to  distinguish 


Xllth  Corps’  Badge 


the  corps  divisions : those  for  the  First  Division,  red ; the  Second, 
white ; the  Third,  blue.  The  soldiers  became  greatly  attached 
to  these  badges,  each  to  his  own;  and  many  a veteran  fought 
strenuously  for  the  honor  of  his  corps  and  its  insignia. 

As  the  time  drew  near  for  the  contemplated  advance  of  the 
army,  the  subject  of  passes  to  or  from  the  different  commands  or 
through  their  pickets,  naturally  became  of  greater  importance, 
and  the  restrictions  more  severe.  The  general  commanding  on 
March  24th  requested  General  Slocum  to  give  his  infantry  pick- 
ets orders  to  permit  the  officers  and  messengers  of  the  Union 
cavalry  while  on  duty  to  pass  through  their  lines  at  such  points, 
and  with  such  pass,  as  agreed  upon  between  Slocum  and  Pleason- 
ton  of  the  cavalry. 

About  this  time  the  practical  and,  perhaps  impractical,  jok- 
ers abounded  anew  in  some  tents,  and  caused  some  fear  in  the 


1863 


PREPARATIONS  FOR  CAMPAIGN 


71 


tents  at  first  by  reporting  the  enemy  near,  usually  late  at  night. 
It  is  possible  that  some  new  army  recruits  required  some  special 
discipline,  or  experience,  for  their  peculiarities,  similar  to  that 
which  boys  not  infrequently  combine  to  give  one  or  more  of  their 
peculiar  playmates.  In  the  experience  of  the  army  at  this  time 
several  night  alarms  were  of  sufficient  extent  and  force  as  to 
call  considerable  commands  hurriedly  to  arms.  In  some  of  these 
instances,  possibly  the  officers  were  privy  to  the  effort  and  effect. 

The  Medical  Director  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  reported 
the  ratio  of  sickness  to  the  thousand  in  General  Slocum’s  corps 
March  28tli  as  52.78,  while  most  other  corps  were  reported  over 
sixty,  sixty-eight,  seventy-five,  and  one  even  over  ninety. 

The  abstract  report  of  the  strength  of  the  Xllth  Corps 
March  31st  showed  that  the  officers  present  for  duty  numbered 
711 ; of  enlisted  men,  12,452,  with  an  aggregate  present  and  ab- 
sent of  20,126.  Artillery,  34  pieces. 

More  wakeful  nights  were  caused  General  Slocum  and  some 
of  his  general  officers  by  reports  from  General  Sickles  at  2.30 
a.  h.,  and  General  Averell  at  midnight,  of  April  1st,  stating  that 
the  Confederates  had  appeared  at  their  front ; but  no  general 
call  to  arms  by  Slocum  was  found  necessary. 

On  April  13th  General  Slocum  received  official  notice  that  a 
large  part  of  General  Stoneman’s  Union  Cavalry  Corps  was 
moving  toward  the  Shenandoah  Valley  to  be  absent  several  days. 
This  movement  increased  the  responsibility  of  Slocum  and  his 
corps.  At  this  date  Brigadier-General  T.  H.  Ruger  was  ordered 
to  report  to  General  Slocum  for  assignment  to  the  command  of 
a brigade  in  his  Xllth  Corps.  He  was  given  command  of  the 
Illrd  Brigade  of  the  1st  Division,  and  he  proved  himself  an 
efficient  officer. 

On  the  14th  Slocum  was  notified  to  have  his  brigade  at  Dum- 
fries ready  to  join  him  at  Stafford  Court  House,  as  it  was  about 
to  be  relieved  of  duty  at  that  place  for  this  purpose.  The  reliev- 
ing force  was  part  of  General  Averell’s  cavalry  under  Colonel 
Duffie.  When  they  did  arrive,  of  the  1,027  men,  but  95  had 
carbines,  which  caused  greater  delay  in  the  departure  of  Slo- 
cum’s brigade;  and  Slocum  finally  left  a battery  of  cannon,  dis- 
mounted cavalry,  and  a regiment  of  infantry,  for  duty  until 


72 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


Averell’s  men  could  be  supplied  with  arms.  Slocum’s  men  thus 
left  were  directed  to  return  to  their  places  in  the  Xllth  Corps 
April  25th. 

The  assignment  of  corps  commanders  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  by  the  War  Department  at  the  instance  of  President 
Lincoln,  after  the' rearrangement  by  the  commanding  general 
February  10th,  was  not  made  until  April  15tli.  This  act  was 
merely  formal,  no  change  being  made. 

The  routine  of  recruiting  and  preparation  for  another  cam- 
paign while  doing  active  guard  duty,  was  brightened  April  19, 
1863,  at  General  Slocum’s  headquarters  by  the  receipt  of  flow- 
ers from  Mrs.  Abraham  Lincoln.  This  bouquet  brought  to  the 
mind  of  Slocum,  in  a reminiscent  way,  the  receipt  of  a simple 
flower  “from  a young  country  girl”  while  he  was  attending 
the  Albany  State  Normal  School  in  his  youth ; and  it  incited  to 
some  well  expressed  paragraphs  in  his  letter  this  day  to  his  wife, 
who  was  the  girl  mentioned,  namely : 


My  Dear  Clara:  — 


Headquarters,  Twelfth  Corps  d ’Armee, 
April  19,  1863. 


I received  a beautiful  bouquet  this  morning  from  Mary.  The  flowers 
are  all  from  the  President ’s  garden.  It  is  beautiful.  The  flowers  are 
arranged  according  to  color  in  three  rows — red,  white,  and  blue — with  a fine 
japoniea  at  the  apex.  I send  you  two  or  three  samples. 

I thought  Mary  would  remember  me.  I take  back  all  I have  said 
unless  she  has  sent  to  all  the  other  generals. 

I do  not  think  I was  so  happy  over  this  bouquet  of  rare  flowers  from 
the  wife  of  the  President  as  I was  over  a single  blue  forget-me-not  received 
by  me  while  in  Albany  from  a young  country  girl. 


Yours  affectionately, 

H.  W.  Slocum. 


Xlth  Corps’  Badge 


1863 


THE  CHANCELLORSVILLE  CAMPAIGN 


73 


CHAPTER  XV 

Commands  Three  Corps  to  Chancellorsville 

The  Confederate  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  under  com- 
mand of  General  Robert  E.  Lee,  remained  intrenched  at  Fred- 
ericksburg on  the  south  bank  of  the  Rappahannock  River,  and 
most  of  the  Union  Army  of  the  Potomac  had  remained  in  win- 
ter quarters  at  Falmouth  on  the  north  bank  of  the  river  a little 
above  Fredericksburg. 

The  general  commanding  the  Union  forces,  Hooker,  while 
recruiting  and  bringing  his  army  to  a good  condition  for  en- 
countering the  enemy,  had  formulated  a good  plan  for  capturing 
him,  or  breaking  him  in  pieces.  The  Union  Cavalry  Corps  had 
been  recruited  and  reorganized  to  an  effective  corps  of  11,500 
men.  General  Stoneman,  commander  of  this  corps,  was  directed 
to  move  two  weeks  before  the  other  arms,  to  cross  the  upper 
Rappahannock,  turn  eastward  and  southward  between  Fred- 
ericksburg and  Richmond,  destroy  the  railways,  canals,  and  tele- 
graphic communications,  thus  cutting  off  supplies  for  Lee’s  army. 
Severe  rains  at  this  time  and  river  floods  made  it  unpleasant 
to  do  this  work  by  the  cavalry  at  the  time  desired ; and  Hooker, 
becoming  impatient,  would  not  delay  the  army’s  movement  to 
get  the  material  aid  the  cavalry  should  afford  him. 

General  Slocum,  with  his  Xllth  Corps,  started  early  in  the 
morning  of  April  27th  from  his  encampment  at  Stafford  Court 
House  on  what  became  later  known  as  the  Chancellorsville  Cam- 
paign. His  route  of  march  was  out  of  sight  of  the  enemy  at 
Fredericksburg,  and  as  direct  as  practicable  to  Kelly’s  Ford  of 
the  Rappahannock,  about  twenty-seven  miles  above  the  main 
force  of  the  enemy. 

Upon  arrival  near  the  Ford  he  was  directed  by  Hooker  to 
assume  command  of  General  Howard’s  Xlth  Corps,  the  1st  Cav- 
alry Brigade  of  Brigadier-General  Pleasonton,  and  to  a degree 
the  command  of  the  Vth  Army  Corps  of  Major-General  George 
G.  Meade,  all  in  addition  to  his  Xllth  Corps,  which  for  a time 
was  nominally  under  General  A.  S.  Williams  of  its  1st  Division. 
This  large  command,  excepting  the  Vth  Corps,  crossed  on  pon- 
toons at  Kelly’s  Ford,  then  turning  south  marched  about  ten 


74 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


miles  to  Germania  Mills  by  the  Rapid  Ann  (Rapidan)  River. 
Here  Slocum’s  advance  brigade,  Ruger’s,  surprised  a detach- 
ment of  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  Confederates  who 
had  started  to  build  a bridge  across  the  swollen,  rapid  stream. 
A skirmish  ensued,  Slocum  directing  in  person.  The  enemy  soon 
surrendered  after  suffering  some  losses,  and  those  on  the  oppo- 
site bank  waded  through  the  armpit  deep  chilly  water  to  make 
the  surrender  complete.  Ruger’s  and  Knipe’s  brigades,  with 
Battery  M,  First  New  York  Light  Artillery  (Fox),  then  led 
the  1st  Division  of  the  XHth  Corps  in  fording  the  river  which 
was  high,  about  four  feet  in  depth  with  rough  rock  bottom. 
Some  soldiers  were  swept  from  their  feet,  necessitating  rescue 
by  cavalrymen  or  small  boat.  The  engineers  and  soldiers  of  the 
1st  Division  of  the  XHtli  Corps,  now  being  across,  they  soon 
built  a bridge  of  the  timbers  prepared  by  the  enemy  for  their 


Vth  Corps’  Badge 


Xlth  Corps’  Badge 


XHth  Corps’  Badge 


own  purpose,  on  which  bridge  the  other  parts  of  the  large  com- 
mand crossed,  also  most  of  the  artillery  and  pack  mules. 

While  General  Slocum  was  admiring  his  men  who  were 
struggling  so  successfully  with  the  Rapidan  current,  an  officer 
rode  up  with  the  compliments  of  General  Meade,  and  stated  that 
Ely’s  Ford  of  the  Rappahannock  where  Meade  had  been  ordered 
to  cross  was  at  flood,  ‘hip  deep.’  General  Slocum  pointed  to 
his  men  breast  deep  in  the  rapid  current,  and  replied  that  the 
Vth  Corps  must  cross  at  once. 

The  Xlth  Corps,  now  the  rear  of  Slocum’s  command,  was 
followed  by  Stuart's  Confederate  Cavalry  with  two  light  can- 
non which  annoyed,  and  did  some  harm  to  the  troops.  The  only 
way  to  stop  this  annoyance  was  to  drive  Stuart ’s  men  away  with 
cavalry.  But  the  small  force  of  Pleasonton’s  cavalry  with  Slo- 
cum was  not  strong  enough  for  this  work,  being  outnumbered  by 


1863 


THE  CHANCELLORSVILLE  CAMPAIGN 


75 


the  Confederate  General  Stuart’s  two  to  one,  and  the  annoyance 
had  to  be  endured  for  a time.30 

From  Germania  Ford  General  Slocum's  course  led  to  the 
south  of  east  about  twelve  miles  to  Chancellorsville,  the  first  ob- 
jective point,  General  Geary  of  the  Ilnd  Division  of  the  Xllth 
Corps  leading.  Parts  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  and  infantry  were 
met,  and  many  of  them  were  captured  with  very  little  delay  to 
the  march.  General  Slocum,  with  his  present  command  of  about 
42,000  men,  arrived  at  Chancellorsville,  the  designated  meeting 
place  of  the  commanding  general,  April  30,  about  2 o’clock  p.  m., 
and  he  at  once  took  positions  for  defense  according  to  orders ; but 
having  at  the  time  a strong  impelling  thought  that  he  ought  to 
advance  immediately  to  the  higher  vantage  ground  nearer  the 
enemy. 

General  Meade  arrived  at  Chancellorsville  about  the  time  of 
Slocum's  arrival,  his  road  leading  to  the  left  of  that  taken  by 
the  latter.  Meade  was  jubilant,  saying:  “This  is  splendid  Slo- 
cum; hurrah  for  old  Joe  [General  Joe  Hooker]  ; we  are  on  Lee’s 
flank,  and  he  does  not  know  it.  You  take  the  Plank  Road,  and 
I’ll  take  the  Pike,  or  vice  versa,  as  you  prefer,  and  we  will  get 
out  of  this  Wilderness.”  His  anticipations  were  at  once  damp- 
ened by  Slocum’s  reply : “My  orders  are  to  assume  command  on 
arriving  at  this  point,  and  to  take  up  a line  of  battle  here,  and 
not  to  move  forward  without  further  orders.  ’ ’31 

General  Hooker  did  not  arrive  at  Chancellorsville  until  6 
p.  M.,  when  Slocum  turned  the  general  command  over  to  him. 
Then  was  issued  Hooker's  remarkable  General  Order  Number 
47,  reading  as  follows : “ It  is  with  heartfelt  satisfaction  the 

commanding  general  announces  to  the  army  that  the  operations 
of  the  last  three  days  have  determined  that  our  enemy  must 
either  ingloriously  fly,  or  come  out  from  behind  his  defenses  and 
give  us  battle  on  our  own  ground,  where  certain  destruction 
awaits  him.  The  operations  of  the  Fifth,  Eleventh,  and  Twelfth 
Corps  have  been  a succession  of  splendid  achievements.”32 

This  order  was  read  to  each  regiment  and,  generally,  it  was 
greeted  with  enthusiastic  cheers.  Some  of  Slocum’s  veterans, 
however,  did  not  cheer,  and  received  the  ‘brag’  of  Hooker  in 
thoughtful  mood.  Being  rallied  regarding  this  soberness  one  re- 


76 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


plied  that  Lee  had  never  been  known  to  ‘ ingloriously  fly,’  and 
it  would  be  better  to  wait  until  after  the  battle  before  doing  any 
cheering.25 

General  Hooker  did  not  make  good  use  of  the  advantages  so 
well  gained  for  him  by  General  Slocum  and  others.  He  was 
slow  in  arriving  upon  the  field  where  the  Union  generals  were 
obligated  to  await  his  coming.  He  then  delayed  action  many 
most  valuable  hours,  while  his  great  opportunity  waned.  Slocum 
was  impatient,  Banks’  Ford  and  other  important  points  of  van- 
tage were  then  easily  at  his  command  for  occupancy.  “It  is  a 
maxim  of  war  that  a single  hour’s  delay  when  an  enemy  is 
strengthening  his  position,  or  when  reinforcements  are  coming 
up,  will  frequently  cost  the  lives  of  a thousand  men.  In  the  pres- 
ent instance  it  was  simply  suicidal  for  Hooker  to  delay  action.”33 

General  Darius  N.  Couch,  second  to  Hooker  in  general  com- 
mand, afterward  wrote  that  “If  the  possession  of  Banks’  Ford 
[on  the  north  bank  of  which  wyas  the  depository  of  the  Union 
Reserve  Artillery]  had  been  foreshadowed  in  Hooker’s  instruc- 
tions to  General  Slocum,  there  would  have  been  accomplished  all 
that  could  have  been  desired.”  And,  again,  “I  think  it  was  a 
signal  misfortune  to  our  arms  that  he  [Hooker]  did  not  delay 
joining  that  [right]  wing  until  the  morning  of  May  1st,  when  he 
would  have  found  Banks’  Ford  in  our  possession.”22 

A detachment  of  Pleasonton’s  Union  cavalry  was  doing 
picket  duty  near  the  Confederate  pickets  in  front  of  Chancel- 
lorsville  and,  finally,  next  day,  May  1st,  at  11  a.  m.,  General  Slo- 
cum was  permitted  to  move  forward  with  his  Xllth  Corps  fol- 
lowed by  the  Xlth  Corps  under  General  Howard,  they  forming 
the  right  wing,  and  moving  along  the  Plank  Road,  the  main 
thoroughfare.  Other  corps  also  moved  forward  on  other  roads 
to  the  left. 

The  enemy’s  skirmish  line  was  met  about  one  mile  from 
Chancellorsville.  This  line  and  the  enemy’s  lines  beyond  were 
rapidly  driven  back  by  Slocum  whose  artillery  participated  with 
good  effect.  Good  progress  was  being  made  and  the  troops  were 
exulting  in  their  success,  when  orders  came  from  Hooker,  about 
one  P.  m.,  for  every  command  to  return  to  its  original  line  at 
Chancellorsville  and  to  its  left.  Slocum  was  very  much  vexed 


1863 


THE  BATTLE  OF  C HAN  CEL  LOR  S TITLE 


77 


with  this  order,  as  he  wanted  to  get  out  of  the  wilderness,  and 
by  this  order  he  was  commanded  to  leave  vantage  ground  for 
the  enemy  to  immediately  occupy  with  guns  which  would  cost 
the  Union  troops  many  lives  if  they  did  not  defeat  them  entirely. 
Generals  Couch,  Warren,  Sykes,  and  Hancock,  agreed  that  the 
advance  gained  should  not  be  abandoned;  Warren,  the  chief 
engineer,  even  advising  Couch  the  second  in  general  command  to 
disobey  Hooker’s  command  to  return.22 

Reluctantly,  the  command  of  Hooker  was  obeyed  by  all,  and 
the  enemy  was  quick  to  follow  to  the  vantage  ground  vacated  by 
the  retiring  Union  forces.  Hooker  was  vacillating  and,  when 
too  late,  he  desired  Couch  to  hold  the  position  won  in  advance, 
which  so  exasperated  the  old  veteran  that  he  returned  a sharp 
reply  ‘unbecoming  a subordinate.’ 

General  Slocum,  when  retiring  from  this  advance,  ordered 
Captain  Clermont  L.  Best,  of  the  Fourth  United  States  Artillery, 
his  Chief  of  Artillery,  to  proceed  to  Chancellorsville  and  post 
his  corps  artillery  in  good  positions  for  defense  against  the  prob- 
ably following  enemy.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  corps  at  its  for- 
mer lines,  Slocum  ordered  the  position  to  be  hastily  fortified. 
This  work  was  well  done  by  the  Xllth  Corps,  but  not  by  the 
Xlth  Corps.  The  enemy  followed  in  strong  force,  was  attacked, 
and  he  was  defeated  with  great  loss,  the  artillery  doing  good 
service  on  both  the  Fredericksburg  and  Gordonsville  roads.34 
The  Union  army  was,  however,  now  on  the  defensive,  notwith- 
standing the  fact  that  its  forces  far  outnumbered  those  of  the 
enemy. 

Slocum  visited  Hooker’s  headquarters  in  the  lull  of  affairs, 
expressed  regrets  for  his  recall,  and  asked  for  reconsideration  of 
the  positions  now  occupied — even  urging  the  immediate  assailing 
of  the  enemy,  rapidly  with  all  the  available  Union  forces. 
Hooker  was  irascible  and,  while  wavering  in  mind,  was  inclined 
to  let  conditions  remain  as  they  were.  Slocum  was  not  confident 
of  the  corps  on  his  right  but  he  did  not  attempt  to  urge  anything 
further.  He  returned  to  his  headquarters  deeply  impressed  by  the 
thought  that  Hooker  was  not  in  fit  condition  to  lead  or  direct  the 
army  in  the  battle  then  impending.  ‘ ‘ Indeed  had  Hooker  listened 
to  Pleasonton ; had  he  listened  to  Slocum ; had  he  listened  to  the 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


first  inspirations  of  his  own  genius,  he  had  nine  out  of  ten 
chances  in  favor  of  winning  one  of  the  greatest  and  most  decisive 
battles  of  the  war.”35 

The  wounded  of  the  day  were  taken  to  the  nearest  house 
where  the  surgeons  gave  them  the  best  attention  possible.  Some 
ambulances  were  brought  on  the  field  later,  and  the  wounded 
were  taken  by  them  to  the  field  hospitals.  The  urgent  requests 


THE  BATTLEFIELD  OF  CH ANCELLORSVILLE. 

A — Positions  held  by  the  Union  forces  before  the  movement.  B — 
Positions  held  by  the  enemy.  C — Positions  taken  and  held  by  Union 
forces  April  29th.  D — Small  force  of  the  enemy  routed  April  30th. 
E — Farthest  advance  made  by  Union  forces  May  1st.  F — Line  to  which 
Union  forces  retired  and  intrenched  May  1st.  G — Jackson’s  attack  on 
the  11th  Corps  May  2nd.  H — Position  to  which  Union  forces  retired 
and  intrenched  May  3rd.  I — Heights  of  Fredericksburg  carried  by  6th 
Corps  May  3rd.  J — Advanced  position  attained  by  6th  Corps.  K — Inte- 
rior line  intrenched  by  General  Slocum  before  retiring'  of  Union  forces 
across  the  river  night  of  May  5th.  L — Route  taken  by  Jackson's  forces 
to  surprise  the  11th  Corps. 

for  medicine  wagons  were  not  answered,  and  medical  supplies, 
brought  on  the  backs  of  horses  and  mules,  were  not  sufficient.36 

The  next  morning  Hooker  and  Sickles  rode  around  and  in- 
spected the  positions  and  lines  of  the  right  wing  then  composed 
of  the  Illrd,  Xlth  and  XHth  Corps. 

Discovery  in  the  morning  of  Saturday,  May  2nd,  of  an  omin- 
ous movement  of  the  enemy  beyond  Howard’s  corps  led  to  the 


1863  THE  BATTLE  OF  CHANCELLORSVILLE 


79 


opening  of  one  of  Slocum’s  batteries  on  the  moving  foe.  This  fire 
was  returned  with  much  spirit  for  a time,  but  soon  two  caissons 
of  the  enemy  were  exploded,  one  gun  dismounted,  and  the 
enemy’s  entire  battery  silenced.  Slocum  continued  to  strengthen 
his  breastworks  during  the  day.  Soon  after  the  first  skirmish  of 
batteries,  another  apparently  heavy  column  of  the  enemy  was 
discovered  slowly  and  cautiously  defiling  around  a point  of  the 
Plank  Road  nearer  Slocum’s  guns  than  the  other.  This  column 
was  made  the  target  of  Slocum’s  infantry,  and  artillery  with 
canister,  which  brought  confusion  upon  it,  and  caused  its  rapid 
retreat  leaving  many  dead  and  wounded  in  the  road  and  woods 
adjoining.37 

The  activity  of  General  Sickles  had  been  increased  in  the 
meantime.  He  requested  help  from  General  Slocum,  -who  sent 
nearly  all  of  his  1st  Division  with  its  commander,  General  A.  S. 
Williams,  to  Sickles ’s  support.  About  the  same  time  Slocum 
advanced  part  of  his  Ilnd  Division  to  investigate  the  enemy  in  his 
own  front.  This  was  opportune  as  the  enemy  had,  quietly  under 
cover,  advanced  in  force,  and  Slocum  called  his  men  back  to 
their  intrenchments. 

About  this  time  there  were  evidences  of  an  attack  and  great 
confusion  on  the  army’s  extreme  right.  The  Confederate  Gen- 
eral Thomas  J (Stonewall)  Jackson’s  command  had  attacked 
Howard’s  neglected  (generally  unfortified  even  by  breastworks) 
Xlth  Corps,  turned  its  right  and  overlapped  its  rear  causing  a 
disastrous  rout.33  Fortunately  General  Pleasonton  was  near  and, 
by  rare  good  and  cool  judgment  and  quick  action,  succeeded  in 
gathering  twenty-two  cannon  and,  loading  them  with  double 
canister,  he  repeatedly  fired  them  into  the  enemy  at  close  range, 
thus  giving  check  to  this  part  of  Jackson’s  rapidly  advancing 
men.  Jackson  was  wounded  accidentally  by  one  of  his  own  men 
about  this  time.  He  died  a few  days  later  from  blood  poisoning. 

Early  in  the  attack  on  Howard’s  corps,  Slocum,  recalled  his 
1st  Division.  The  return  was  started  immediately,  and  by  mov- 
ing rapidly  by  flank  and  turning,  it  presented  a front  and  oppo- 
sition that  checked  the  advance  of  the  enemy  in  this  quarter  ;33 
but  before  all  could  return  to  their  original  position,  the  enemy 
began  to  occupy  the  right  of  their  intrenchments ; and  in  at- 


80 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


tempting  to  regain  their  full  line  in  the  dark  some  became 
mixed  with  the  enemy  who  overpowered  and  captured  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  or  more  of  Slocum’s  men.  The  division  held  its 
own  remarkably  well,  however,  in  the  midst  of  so  much  excite- 
ment and  wild  rumors  of  the  rout  on  its  right.  Its  line  was  soon 
reformed  by  General  Slocum  at  right  angle  to  its  former  line. 

Slocum  now  opened  his  thirty-four  pieces  of  artillery  by 
which,  with  the  infantry,  some  guns  of  Sickles’  command,  and 
a few  from  Howard’s  unrouted  contingent,  the  enemy  was  fully 
cheeked.  The  work  of  the  artillery  was  continued  irregularly 
until  late  in  the  night,  at  times  the  fire  being  terrific.  During 
the  entire  night  both  Union  and  Confederate  forces  did  what 
they  could  to  strengthen  their  positions  and  lines,  particularly 
near  Chancellorsville. 

At  midnight,  Sickles,  who  was  separated  from  the  other 
Union  forces,  ‘fought  his  way  back’  to  supporting  distance  of 
them. 

Even  Saturday  night,  and  Sunday  morning,  May  3rd,  “It 
only  required  that  Hooker  should  brace  himself  up  and  take  a 
reasonable  common  sense  view  of  the  state  of  things,  when  the 
success  gained  by  Jackson  would  have  been  turned  into  an  over- 
whelming defeat  [of  the  enemy].  But  Hooker  became  despond- 
ent,’’ vacillating,  and  this  part  of  the  enemy  was  permitted  to 
begin  the  battle  on  the  weakened  right  wing  without  reinforce- 
ments of  men  or  ammunition.22 

The  best  position  for  the  Union  forces  at  any  time  was  with 
their  right  at  Talley’s  farm.  This  was  literally  given  to  the 
enemy  by  Hooker.  The  position  of  Sunday  morning,  with  Hazel 
Grove  and  the  position  formerly  held  by  the  ‘sharp  and  astute 
Slocum’  were  highly  defensible,  if  Slocum  had  been  reasonably 
supported  against  the  overwhelming  enemy.35 

The  order  for  the  abandonment  of  General  Pleasonton’s 
preparations,  for  holding  Hazel  Grove  where  he  discomfited  and 
cheeked  the  enemy  immediately  after  Jackson’s  attack  was  an 
order  for  the  abandonment  of  “the  proper  key  to  the  situation 
which  should  have  been  held  at  all  hazards.”33  It  was  the  worst 
of  all  movements,  inasmuch  as  it  was  indispensable  for  the  enemy 
to  capture  Hazel  Grove  before  he  could  advance  against  the  main 


1863  THE  BATTLE  OF  CHANCELLORS V1LLE 


81 


body  of  Sickles’  Illrd  Corps;  and  this  corps  and  Pleasonton’s 
forces  being  removed  during  the  night  and  early  morning  of 
Sunday  May  3rd,  enabled  the  enemy  to  immediately  post  his 
cannon  at  the  Grove,  drive  Sickles’  men  further  back,  and  en- 
filade Slocum’s  entire  find  Division,  a result  showing  continued 
most  serious  want  of  a sober,  comprehensive,  and  steadfast  com- 
manding general. 

But  for  the  prompt,  and  proper,  meeting  of  this  emergency 
by  General  Slocum,  all  of  Hooker's  right  wing,  possibly  the  en- 
tire army,  would  have  been  routed  by  the  enemy.  With  thirty 
pieces  of  the  enemy’s  artillery  from  one  quarter,  also  the  Con- 
federate General  McLaws’  batteries  from  another  direction  in 
full  play  upon  Slocum’s  line,  “It  seems  almost  miraculous  that 
he  was  able  to  hold  it  at  all.  ’ ’33  Here  again  was  exhibited  General 
Slocum’s  coolness,  thoughtfulness,  prompt  action,  and  success  in 
the  proper  disposition  of  his  men. 


CHAPTER  XYI 

Battle  op  Chancellorsville.  Reports 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  ‘was  disjointed’  wrote  the  ven- 
erable General  Couch,  for  want  of  a proper  general  leader.  The 
morning  of  the  ill-fated  Sunday,  May  3rd,  1863,  the  attack  of 
the  enemy  began  at  daybreak  from  their  vantage  ground  gained 
as  mentioned  on  the  preceding  pages.  Slocum’s  1st  and  Sickles’ 
find  Divisions  were  the  only  Union  forces  to  withstand  the  first 
unequal  contest. 

The  enemy  soon  gained  another  material  advantage  by  turn- 
ing the  right  flank  of  Sickles’  men,  and  yet  another  advantage  by 
the  retiring  of  Sickles’  men  from  the  field.  The  enemy  was  quick 
to  place  cannon  on  the  gained  positions,  from  which,  he  could 
further  enfilade  and  otherwise  distress  Slocum’s  forces.  Slo- 
cum’s ammunition  was  running  law,  and  none  came  in  answer 
to  calls  for  more. 

Solid  columns  of  the  enemy  were  also  repeatedly  advanced 
against  Slocum’s  front  and  now  unsupported  right  flank.  They 

were  repeatedly  repulsed  with  great  loss  on  both  sides.  Several 
6 


82 


MAJOR-GENE  UAL  SLO  C UM 


1863 


times  the  enemy  was  followed  into  the  thick  underbrush  by 
Slocum’s  men,  he  retreating  in  superior  numbers  but  to  reload, 
reform  line  and  renew  the  attack  at  close  quarters  on  Slocum’s 
rapidly  attenuating  line. 

Colonel  Fox  in  his  History  of  the  Xllth  Corps 23  quotes  the 
following  from  Caldwell’s  History  of  McGowan’s  South  Caro- 
lina Brigade  that  was  in  front  of  part  of  Slocum’s  men  this 
Sunday  morning,  namely : 

We  could  not  see  much  for  the  morning  was  foggy  and  the  smoke  of 
both  lines  became  so  dense  that  I could  not  even  distinguish  the  colors  of 
the  enemy.  The  firing  was  furious.  Our  advance  was  checked,  the  cheering 
hushed;  all  on  both  sides  addressed  themselves  to  loading  and  firing  as 
rapidly  as  possible.  The  two  right  regiments  were  hotly  engaged.  Indeed 
the  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  South  Carolina  had  to  fire  at  right  oblique. 
The  slaughter  of  Orr ’s  Rifles,  and  the  First  South  Carolina  was  immense. 
General  McGowan,  just  behind  the  colors  of  the  First,  huzzahed  lustily, 
seeming  to  be  at  the  highest  enthusiasm.  The  Federals  fired  with  unusual 
accuracy.  It  was  to  be  expected,  for  we  stood  in  full  relief  upon  the  crest 
of  the  hill.  The  few  men  they  had  scattered  along  the  ravine  behaved 
with  provoking  composure.  They  deliberately  loaded  their  pieces  behind 
the  trees,  stepped  out,  picked  their  men,  fired,  and  returned  to  the  trees  to 
reload.  [The  Twenty-seventh  Indiana  was  among  this  number].  In  the 
course  of  time,  however,  they  were  discovered,  and  forced  to  lie  close. 
Archer’s  brigade,  as  I understand  it,  was  to  move  clear  to  our  right,  and 
at  some  inclination  to  us,  so  as  to  strike  the  enemy  in  flank.  The  latter 
must  have  apprehended  something  of  the  sort,  for  they  hugged  the  fortified 
hill  with  singular  pertinacity. 

But  now  we  were  at  a standstill.  The  enemy  became  emboldened,  and 
advanced  upon  the  unprotected  right  flank  of  our  brigade.  At  last  he 
swung  forward  so  as  to  almost  enfilade  our  line.  The  Rifles  gave  way. 
The  First  followed  slowly,  and  the  movement  extended  gradually  to  the 
left  of  the  brigade.  But  we  halted  at  the  line  of  works  about  seventy  or 
eighty  yards  from  the  last  position ; and  the  enemy  continuing  to  advance, 
we  resumed  battle.  General  McGowan  was  wounded  upon  the  works.  Briga- 
dier-General Colston  brought  in  a fresh  line,  saying  they  would  show  us 
how  to  clear  a Federal  line.  But  their  reckoning  was  not  accurate;  they 
were  forced  back  with  us  into  the  works.  The  firing  continued  un intermitted, 
deadly. 

Slocum’s  34  pieces  of  artillery  won  the  admiration  of  all  ob- 
serving Unionists ; but  his  Ilnd  Division  of  infantry  was  now 
so  ‘hemmed  in’  and  in  danger  of  being  cut  off  by  the  enemy  that 
was  near  and  not  much  disturbed  by  his  artillery,  that  Slocum 


1S63  THE  BATTLE  OF  CHANCELLOBSVILLE 


83 


ordered  it  to  retire  and  form  line  at  right  angles  with  the  former 
line  of  battle,  the  right  to  rest  at  the  brick  house  headquarters 
of  Hooker.  While  its  commander,  General  John  AY.  Geary,  a 
capable  officer,  was  executing  this  order  Hooker  came  to  him  and 
personally  commanded  Geary  to  return  to  his  vacated  position 
‘and  hold  it  at  all  hazards.’40  Here  was  another  cause  for  the 
serious  grievance  of  General  Slocum  against  the  commanding 
general  of  the  army  who  had  not  been  issuing  any  orders  re- 
cently.22 Apparently  Hooker  had  left  Slocum  and  his  men  now 
for  the  third  time,  to  any  fate  that  might  prevail  against  them 
after  placing  them  at  great  disadvantage  before  the  able,  alert 
enemy,  and  withholding  all  reinforcements  from  the  thousands 
of  idle  Union  forces  within  easy  call ! 

But  General  Slocum,  realizing  the  full  significance  of  his 
position  and  forsaken  condition,  rallied  his  shattered  columns 
anew.  Some  were  without  ammunition  but  they  kept  their  places 
with  bayonets  fixed. 

Geary’s  men  refilled  their  cartridge  boxes  while  near  the 
Chancellor  House,  and  in  the  hurry  and  confusion  that  followed 
with  the  return  according  to  Hooker’s  orders,  Geary’s  orders 
were  misunderstood  by  Greene  and  Kane’s  brigades  which  took 
position  north  of  the  Chancellor  House  and  did  not  accompany 
Geary  back  to  their  former  position.  Geary  with  his  1st  Brigade, 
upon  their  return  to  their  breastworks,  found  that  he  had  left 
behind  there  the  60tli  and  102nd  New  lffirk  Regiments,  which 
were  yet  in  sore  conflict ; and  they  had  captured  thirty  prisoners 
and  a battle  flag,  and  the  last  named  regiment  had  also  captured 
the  flag  of  the  Twelfth  Georgia  Regiment.  The  enemy  continued 
to  make  breaches  in  the  breastworks  and,  in  the  fierce  battle, 
more  of  the  enemy  were  captured. 

The  enemy’s  fire  was  now  of  even  greater  volume  than  be- 
fore, he  being  emboldened  by  what  appeared  to  him  as  sure 
victory,  in  the  capture  or  total  destruction  of  Slocum’s  command. 
Such  condition  of  affairs  could  not  have  happened  had  Slocum 
not  been  deprived  by  the  commanding  general  of  his  rightful 
supports.41  The  hand  to  hand  battle  continued  between  the  in- 
tervals of  the  enemy’s  artillery  enfilading  fire.  Such  unequal 
contest  could  not  be  much  longer  continued. 

The  order  of  General  Slocum  for  his  command  to  retire 


84 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


from  the  field  ‘was  obeyed  in  a soldierly  and  masterly  manner,’40 
notwithstanding  the  use  of  the  enemy’s  rifles  against  Slocum’s 
cannoneers  until  sixty-two  of  their  number  were  killed  or 
wounded ; and  not  until  eighty  horses  had  been  shot  in  harness, 
was  the  artillery  retired,  and  then  without  leaving  a gun.  The 
enemy  at  once  occupied  much  of  the  ground  vacated. 

Major-General  Slocum  reformed  his  Xllth  Corps  upon  the 
extreme  Union  left,  which  position  he  rapidly  fortified  to  pro- 
tect the  retreat  of  the  Union  army  notwithstanding  the  sadly  de- 
pleted ranks  of  his  men  and  their  greatly  exhausted  condition. 
This  corps  had  been  constantly  on  exhausting  duty  three  days, 
most  of  the  time  on  scant  rations,  and  for  the  last  twenty-four 
hours  or  more  without  any  food. 

While  Hooker  was  standing  beside  a column  on  the  porch 
of  his  headquarters  on  Sunday,  it  was  struck  and  broken  by  a 
cannon  ball  and  Hooker  was  thrown  to  the  floor.  He  arose, 
mounted  his  horse,  held  nearby,  and  joined  his  staff  in  review- 
ing the  situation  vacated  by  Slocum’s  men.  There  was  some 
additional  work  done  by  artillery  in  the  afternoon,  but  little 
further,  of  importance,  was  effected. 

During  Slocum’s  most  active  work,  among  the  bravest  and 
hardest  fighting  in  this  or  any  war,  several  corps  of  Union  troops 
were  idle,  and  could  have  been  readily  sent  as  reinforcements 
where  the  Union  lines  were  so  strongly  opposed  by  the  numerous 
enemy.  But  the  commanding  general  practically  ignored  Slocum 
and  his  command,  as  well  as  President  Lincoln’s  parting  injunc- 
tion when  visiting  army  headquarters  before  the  army  started  on 
this  campaign,  which  was  to  ‘Put  in  all  your  men.’ 

Hooker  called  his-  corps  commanders  to  a council  of  war  at 
midnight  of  May  4-5.  Generals  Couch,  Howard,  Meade,  and 
Reynolds,  were  present.  Howard,  Meade,  and  Reynolds,  favored 
continuing  the  battle.  Couch  favored  this  decision  if  he  could 
designate  the  point  of  attack,  but  under  the  conditions  he  voted 
with  Sickles  to  retreat  to  the  previously  long-occupied  camp  at 
Falmouth.  Hooker  at  once  settled  the  question  by  declaring  for 
such  retreat.  General  Slocum  was  notified  of  the  council,  but 
at  an  hour  too  late  for  him  to  arrive  from  his  distant  position 
until  the  very  brief  session  was  over;  but  he  did  arrive  just  in 
time  to  hear  General  Reynolds  say  while  passing  out  of  the  tent 


1863  THE  BATTLE  OF  CHANCE LLORSVILLE 


85 


‘what  was  the  use  of  calling  us  together  at  this  time  of  night 
when  Hooker  intended  to  retreat  anyhow.’22 

Some  time  before  this  council  of  war,  Hooker  told  General 
Couch,  commander  of  the  Ilnd  Corps  and  second  in  general  com- 
mand, to  take  charge  of  the  army;  but  he  continued  to  ignore 
Couch  and,  after  giving  directions  himself  for  retreat,  he  crossed 
the  river. 

General  Slocum’s  artillery  was  placed  early  to  protect  the 
army  while  crossing  the  Rappahannock  at  the  United  States 
Ford  about  one  mile  below  the  mouth  of  the  Rapidan  River. 
The  enemy  soon  appeared  and  began  to  construct  batteries  to  op- 
pose the  crossing,  but  Slocum’s  artillery  kept  them  in  check  by 
slow  firing  on  account  of  scarcity  of  ammunition.  Finally  the 
enemy  succeeded  in  placing  two  batteries,  one  with  four  21- 
pounder  cannon,  both  of  which  batteries  were  soon  silenced  by 
Slocum’s  guns.  With  his  command  Slocum  crossed  the  river 
Tuesday  night  May  5th,  and  by  comfortable  marches  returned 
to  his  former  encampment  at  Stafford  Court  House. 

The  Signal  Service  was  well  organized  for  the  army’s  opera- 
tions in  this  campaign  on  the  south  side  of  the  Rappahannock. 
The  services  of  T.  S.  C.  Lowe,  the  chief  operator  of  balloons 
at  that  time,  was  also  engaged  to  operate  two  balloons  to  be  held 
captive  by  anchored  ropes.  Lowe  was  first  stationed  on  the  north 
bank  near  Banks’  Ford,  and  the  other  balloon,  in  charge  of  E.  S. 
Allen,  was  to  be  near  General  Sedgwick’s  command  to  operate 
on  the  southeast  side  of  Fredericksburg.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  it 
appears  that  a large  proportion  of  what  was  of  proper  initiative, 
continuity,  and  effectiveness  pertaining  to  the  general  direction 
of  the  army  and  its  affairs  at  this  time,  should  be  attributed  to 
Hooker’s  Chief  of  Staff  Major-General  Daniel  Butterfield.  Un- 
fortunately Butterfield  was  much  hampered  by  Hooker’s  nervous 
demands,  of  a generally  worrying  and  impracticable  nature,  and 
with  manifold  duties  with  dispatches  to  and  from  a distance, 
detracting  from  attention  to  duties  nearby.  Butterfield  was 
also  frequently  sent  on  errands  at  a distance,  he  being  near  Fal- 
mouth at  8 p.  m.  May  2nd,  and  at  5.40  p.  m.  May  3rd.  He  was 
also  sent  to  Banks’  Ford,  and  other  places. 

Lowe  reported  to  Butterfield  at  9 a.  m.  April  28th  that  the 
balloon  could  not  then  ascend  on  account  of  the  high  wind ; and 


86 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


the  service  was  often  so  delayed,  also  by  rain,  mist,  fog,  and 
smoke  which  obscured  even  close  observations.  Campfires  at 
night,  however,  were  available  often  to  mark  position  and  num- 
ber of  the  enemy. 

Active  service  of  the  balloons  began  April  29th,  and  some 
little  movement  of  the  enemy  into  their  rifle  pits  opposite  Sedg- 
wick’s command  below  Fredericksburg,  showed  that  the  enemy 
was  diverted  from  Chancellorsville.  Heavy  smoke  was  also 
reported  in  the  woods  about  six  miles  up  the  river  from  Lowe’s 
station  near  Banks’  Ford.  Later  in  the  day  the  enemy  was  re- 
ported in  line  of  battle  in  the  woods  opposite  Fredericksburg. 
The  same  day  Allen  reported  that  Lieutenant  Libby  took  his 
balloon  ‘in  tow’  along  the  river  bank  to  opposite  the  south  end 
of  the  city,  where  he  saw  heavy  earthworks  well  supported  by  a 
large  force.  Only  a few  army  wagons  were  seen.  May  1st  it  was 
reported  from  the  balloons,  that  the  greatest  activity  of  the  enemy 
was  towards  Chancellorsville,  diminishing  the  number  at  Freder- 
icksburg, which  should  have  aroused  Hooker  to  the  mistake  of 
his  own  inactivity.  General  Sedgwick  received  the  same  dis- 
patch, and  then  was  an  opportunity  for  him  in  the  rear  of  the 
foe.  The  balloon  at  Banks’  Ford  was  in  the  air  continuously 
this  day,  Lowe  answering  questions  and  reporting  his  observa- 
tions in  all  directions.  There  were  also  frequent  communica- 
tions between  different  commands  by  signal  service.  Lowe 
changed  to  the  balloon  near  Sedgwick,  and  Allen  to  the  Balloon 
‘Eagle’  near  Banks’  Ford.  The  former  suggested  that  it  was 
a good  time  for  a staff  officer  to  ascend  for  personal  observation. 
The  two  balloonists  checked  each  the  other  in  observation  of  im- 
portant points.  May  2nd  there  was  too  much  wind  for  balloon 
observation  until  afternoon,  and  then  only  from  low  heights. 
There  were  frequent  reports,  however,  the  Signal  Service  acting 
an  important  part.  The  principal  reports  of  the  afternoon 
showed  withdrawal  of  the  enemy  from  the  Union  left  and  its 
concentration  with  men  and  artillery  in  Slocum’s  front;  but 
Slocum  was  obliged  to  learn  of  this  fact  by  his  own  initiative. 

It  appears  that  there  were  no  balloon  observations  May  3rd, 
and  but  two  of  little  importance  the  4tli ; and  then  like  other 
arms  of  the  service,  the  balloonists  probably  had  to  look  out  for 
themselves. 


1863  CAUSES  OF  DEFEAT  AT  CHANCELLORS VILLE  87 


The  cause  of  Hooker's  nervous  vagaries,  enervation,  and 
general  inefficiency  at  Chancellorsville,  is  not  obscure,  nor  diffi- 
cult of  being  understood.  The  shattered  condition  of  his  system 
was  the  result  of  the  ‘large  quantities’  of  alcoholic  beverages  he 
had  continued  to  take  ‘for  a long  time.’  From  the  evidence  at 
the  trial  that  followed,  it  was  shown  that  he  was  not  drunk  at 
Chancellorsville,  at  least  not  early  in  the  battle.  General  Couch, 
his  intimate  friend  for  a long  time,  states  that  Hooker’s  trouble 
at  this  time  was  due  to  his  discontinuance  there  of  the  alcoholic 
beverage,  or  beverages  ;22  and  it  is  a truism  that  such  habit  soon 
unfits  auy  person  for  any  position  of  trust,  be  the  craving  of  the 
habit  satisfied  or  unsatisfied.  The  monstrous  evil  of  the  alcoholic 
addiction  has  been  sadly  prevalent,  in  all  modern  wars  at  least, 
and  with  very  sad  results. 

“Hooker’s  thorough  inability  to  grasp  the  situation,  and 
handle  the  conditions  arising  from  the  responsibility  of  so  large 
a command,  dates  from  Thursday  noon,  or  at  latest  Friday  morn- 
ing, May  1st.  And  from  this  time  his  enervation  was  steadily 
on  the  increase.  For  the  defeat  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  in 
Sunday  morning’s  conflict  was  already  a settled  fact,  when 
Hooker  failed  at  early  dawn  so  to  dispose  his  forces  as  to  sus- 
tain Sickles  and  Williams  [Slocum’s  First  Division]  if  over- 
matched, or  to  broach  some  counter  maneuver  to  draw  the 
eenmy’s  attention  to  its  own  safety. 

“It  is  an  ungracious  task  to  heap  so  much  blame  upon  any 
one  man.  But  the  odium  of  this  defeat  has  for  years  been  borne 
by  those  who  are  guiltless  of  the  outcome  of  the  campaign  of 
Chancellorsville ; and  the  prime  source  of  this  fallacy  has  been 
Hooker’s  ever-ready  self  exculpation  by  misinterpreted  facts  and 
unwarranted  conclusions,  while  his  subordinates  have  held  their 
peace.”44 

General  Alpheus  S.  Williams,  commander  of  the  1st  Division 
of  General  Slocum’s  XHth  Corps,  closed  his  long  official  report 
of  his  division  at  the  Battle  of  Chancellorsville,  as  follows:  '“In 
conclusion,  I beg  to  congratulate  the  major-general  [Slocum] 
commanding  the  corps  upon  the  faithful,  orderly,  and  gallant 
conduct  of  the  Xllth  Corps  during  the  twelve  days’  campaign. 
On  the  marches  and  on  the  battle-field  the  conduct  of  the  officers 
and  men  almost  universally  was  that  of  veterans ; obedient  to 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


orders,  faithful  to  duty,  and  firm  and  unyielding  under  the 
most  vigorous  and  overwhelming  assaults  of  the  enemy.  On  the 
march  we  had  no  stragglers  and  on  the  battle-field  few  skulkers. 
The  insignia  of  our  ‘star'  [badge  of  the  Xllth  Corps]  is  a badge 
of  honor  of  which  we  may  all  be  proud.  To  the  patient,  able,  and 
judicious  efforts  of  the  commander  of  the  corps,  I desire,  in  this 
official  report,  to  attribute  mainly  the  efficient  and  superior  con- 
dition and  conduct  of  this  command.  ’ ’42 

The  official  report  of  General  Slocum  regarding  Chancellors- 
ville,  like  all  his  papers,  is  direct  and  clear.  In  it  he  exhibits 
commendable  pride  in  the  good  discipline  of  his  men  and  in  their 
admirable  efficiency  at  all  times,  even  under  the  great  excitement 
of  stampeding  troops  from  other  commands,  and  when  forced, 
unnecessarily  by  conditions  lie  could  not  control,  into  imprac- 
ticable positions  where,  almost  famished  and  exceedingly 
fatigued,  they  fought  desperately,  refusing  to  surrender  or  to 
leave  a gun,  and  after  sustaining  loss  of  about  thirty  per 
cent,  of  their  number,  holding  firmly  to  their  commanding  gen- 
eral’s orders  until  there  was  a lull  in  the  fierce  assaults  of  the 
enemy,  enabling  them  to  retire  honorably,  and  safely,  from  the 
field.  No  better  troops  ever  complimented  their  general  by 
greater  bravery  in  upholding  the  admirable  discipline  received 
from  him. 

Official  Report  of  Major-General  Henry  W.  Slocum,  U.  S'. 
Army,  commanding  Twelfth  Army  Corps  in  Chancellorsville 
Campaign : 

Headquarters  Twelfth  Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
[Stafford  Court  House,  Va.]  May  17,  1863. 

General:  I have  the  honor  of  submitting  the  report  of  the  opera- 
tions of  the  troops  under  my  command,  from  April  27  to  the  6th  instant: 

In  obedience  to  instructions  from  headquarters  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
the  Twelfth  Corps  marched,  on  April  27,  from  its  present  position  [Stafford 
Court  House,  Va.]  to  a point  near  Hartwood  Church.  On  the  28th,  the 
march  was  continued,  and  the  entire  corps  encamped  at  4 P.  M.  near  Kelly’s 
Ford.  At  this  point  I was  instructed  to  assume  command  of  the  Eleventh 
and  Twelfth  Corps,  and  to  move  both  corps  to  Germanna  Bridge  on  the 
following  day,  and,  if  possible,  effect  a crossing  at  once. 

The  Twelfth  Corps  commenced  the  march  at  4 a.  m.  on  the  29th,  and 
was  followed  by  the  Eleventh  Corps.  Soon  after  leaving  Kelly’s  Ford, 
the  advance  guard  met  a small  force  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry,  and  captured 
1 captain  and  several  privates  within  4 miles  of  the  ford. 


1863 


REPORT  OF  CHANCELLORSVILLE 


89 


During  the  entire  march  from  the  Rappahannock  to  the  Rapidan,  the 
advance  guard,  consisting  of  the  Sixth  New  York  Cavalry,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  McViear  commanding,  was  opposed  by  small  bodies  of  cavalry,  but 
the  progress  of  the  main  body  was  but  little  delayed,  and  several  captures 
were  made  on  the  march.  On  arriving  at  Germanna  Ford,  our  crossing  was 
opposed  by  a body  of  infantry,  consisting  of  125  men,  who  were  posted  in 
a mill  and  behind  timber,  which  had  been  collected  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  river  for  the  purpose  of  rebuilding  the  bridge  at  this  place.  The 
Second  Massachusetts  and  the  Third  Wisconsin  Volunteers  were  at  once 
marched  in  line  of  battle  to  the  bank  of  the  river,  and,  after  an  exchange  of 
a few  shots,  the  enemy  surrendered.  The  passage  of  the  river  was  at  once 
effected  by  the  cavalry,  followed  by  Generals  Ruger’s  and  Jackson’s  bri- 
gades, of  William ’s  division,  and  all  the  artillery  of  the  corps. 

While  the  troops  were  fording  the  river,  the  pioneers  of  the  First 
Division  were  engaged  in  the  construction  of  a bridge.  This  work,  under 
the  supervision  of  Generals  Geary  and  Kane,  was  soon  completed,  and  the 
remainder  of  the  Twelfth  Corps,  with  its  pack  trains  and  the  entire 
Eleventh  Corps,  crossed  the  river  on  this  bridge.  A strong  position  was 
taken  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river. 

At  daylight  on  the  following  morning,  the  march  was  resumed,  Geary ’s 
division  leading.  Just  before  the  head  of  the  column  reached  the  Wilder- 
ness, an  attack  was  made  on  our  right  flank  by  a small  body  of  cavalry  and 
two  pieces  of  artillery.  Two  regiments  were  sent  to  drive  away  this  force, 
while  the  main  body  continued  its  march. 

The  two  corps  arrived  at  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  at  about  2 p.  m.  on  the 
30th.  The  Twelfth  Corps  took  position  in  the  woods,  on  a line  nearly 
parallel  to  the  Plank  road,  with  the  left  resting  near  Chancellorsville  and 
the  right  near  a church  about  1 1-2  miles  therefrom.  The  Eleventh  Corps 
joined  the  right  of  the  Twelfth,  with  its  right  resting  on  Hunting  Run. 
The  Fifth  Corps,  which  had  crossed  at  Ely’s  Ford  and  arrived  at  Chancel- 
lorsville before  either  of  the  others,  extended  from  Chancellorsville  toward 
the  United  States  Ford.  The  Major-General  commanding  the  army  [Major- 
General  Hooker]  arrived  at  Chancellorsville  on  Thursday  evening,  the  30th, 
and  I then  resumed  the  command  of  the  Twelfth  Corps. 

On  Friday,  at  11  A.  M.,  pursuant  to  orders,  I moved  the  Twelfth  Corps 
from  Chancellorsville  toward  Fredericksburg,  on  the  Plank  road.  We  met 
the  skirmishers  of  the  enemy  about  a mile  from  the  Chancellor  house ; 

formed  in  line  of  battle  and  advanced,  the  enemy  falling  back  toward 

the  heights  of  Fredericksburg. 

About  1 p.  m.  orders  were  received  to  return  to  our  original  line.  In 
this  movement  our  loss  was  only  10  killed  and  wounded.  Friday  night  and 
Saturday  morning  were  spent  in  strengthening  our  position. 

At  3.30  P.  M.  on  Saturday,  I received  a note  from  General  Sickles, 

stating  that  he  was  advancing  a strong  line  of  two  brigades  to  ascertain 

whether  the  enemy  was  retreating;  that  General  Birney  reported  that  he 
had  reached  a brigade  of  the  enemy  in  rifle-pits,  posted,  as  he  (General 


90 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


Sickles)  thought,  to  cover  the  retreating  column;  that  he  would  attack  him 
if  he  was  not  stronger  than  reports  so  far  represented,  and  occupy  the 
road  by  which  he  was  retreating,  and  that  he  desired  me  to  support  his 
advance.  This  note  was  at  once  referred  to  the  commanding  general,  and, 
with  his  consent,  I sent  nearly  all  the  First  Division,  under  General  Wil- 
liams, to  the  support  of  General  Birney,  and  at  the  same  time  advanced  a 
portion  of  the  Second  Division,  under  General  Geary,  to  feel  the  enemy  in 
its  front.  It  soon  became  evident  that  the  enemy  was  in  force  in  this 
position  and  strongly  posted.  The  Second  Division  was,  therefore,  recalled, 
and  directed  to  hold  its  original  line. 

While  this  Division  was  retiring  as  ordered,  the  enemy  attacked  the 
extreme  right  of  our  line,  which  was  held  by  the  Eleventh  Corps.  I at 
once  rode  in  that  direction;  but  before  arriving  within  a mile  of  the  line 
met  large  numbers  of  that  corps  retiring  in  the  utmost  disorder.  I at  once 
dispatched  two  staff  officers  with  orders  to  General  Williams  to  return  as 
rapidly  as  possible  to  his  original  line,  hoping  to  make  such  disposition  of 
his  troops  as  would  assist  in  checking  the  advance  of  the  enemy.  This 
order  was  promptly  obeyed ; but  the  euemy  had  possessed  himself  of  the 
right  of  the  line  formerly  occupied  by  General  Williams  before  his  arrival, 
and,  in  attempting  to  regain  his  position,  Colonel  Mathews,  of  the  One 
hundred  and  twenty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  nearly  200  of  his 
regiment,  were  captured.  Williams’  division  at  once  took  possession  of  the 
line  formerly  held  by  him,  and  formed  Ruger’s  and  Knipe ’s  brigades  in 
line  on  the  left  of  and  at  right  angles  to  the  Plank  road  leading  toward 
the  Wilderness,  his  right  connecting  with  the  division  of  General  Berry, 
formed  on  the  right  of  the  Plank  road. 

In  the  meantime  Captain  Best,  chief  of  artillery  of  the  Twelfth  Corps, 
had  by  great  exertions  got  thirty-four  guns  in  position  on  the  crest  of  the 
hill  in  rear  of  these  divisions.  The  divisions  of  Generals  Williams  and 
Berry,  with  a well-directed  tire  from  our  artillery,  checked  the  advance  of 
the  enemy.  A portion  of  the  troops  under  General  Birney,  on  returning, 
took  position  on  the  crest  of  a hill  nearly  in  prolongation  of  the  line  held 
by  Geary’s  division.  At  about  12  o’clock  Saturday  night,  a porton  of 
these  troops  advanced  against  the  enemy  directly  in  front  of  Williams  ’ 
division.  As  I had  not  been  informed  that  a night  attack  was  contem- 
plated by  our  forces,  I supposed,  on  hearing  the  firing,  that  the  enemy  were 
advancing  on  William’s  division,  and  at  once  opened  upon  them  with  our 
artillery.  General  Williams  also  fired  upon  all  lines  that  made  their  ap- 
pearance in  his  front.  T have  no  information  as  to  the  damage  suffered 
by  our  troops  from  our  own  fire,  but  fear  that  our  losses  must  have  been 
severe. 

At  daybreak  on  Sunday,  May  3,  the  enemy  commenced  the  attack  on 
Williams’  and  Berry’s  divisions.  The  troops  of  Birney ’s  division,  above 
mentioned  as  occupying  the  hill  in  prolongation  of  Geary’s  line,  soon  re- 
tired. A battery  belonging  to  the  same  division,  which  was  with  these 
troops,  was,  I am  informed,  captured  by  the  enemy.  I know  that  imme- 


1863 


REPORT  OF  CHAN  CELLO  RSVJLLE 


91 


diately  after  the  infantry  had  retired  from  this  position  a battery  was 
used  on  this  point  against  Geary’s  line  with  fearful  effect,  as  it  enfiladed 
his  position  completely.  The  efforts  of  the  enemy  for  three  hours  were 
directed  mainly  against  the  divisions  of  General  A.  S.  Williams  and  Berry. 

Repeated  efforts  were  made  by  heavy  columns  of  the  enemy  to  break 
these  lines,  but  without  effect;  our  troops  held  their  ground  with  a de- 
termined bravery  seldom  equalled.  Our  artillery  was  advantageously  posted 
and  handled  with  great  skill  and  effect. 

At  8 A.  M.  I informed  the  commanding  general  of  the  fact  that  our 
small-arm  ammunition  was  nearly  exhausted,  and  that  a new  supply  was 
necessary  or  that  my  troops  must  be  relieved.  As  there  was  no  ammunition 
on  hand,  a brigade  of  Birney’s  division  was  ordered  to  relieve  a portion 
of  Williams’,  which  was  done,  but  too  late  to  prevent  the  advance  of  the 
enemy.  Our  artillery,  also,  which  had  been  firing  constantly  for  about 
three  hours,  was  nearly  exhausted  of  ammunition. 

At  about  9 A.  M.  the  troops  on  the  right  of  my  command  fell  back, 
which  was  soon  followed  by  a portion  of  my  line.  The  enemy  at  once 

gained  a position  which  enabled  him  to  use  his  infantry  against  our 

batteries.  The  artillery,  however,  held  its  position  until  two  battery  com- 
manders, Captain  Hampton  and  Lieutenant  Crosby,  were  killed  beside 
their  pieces,  until  63  cannoneers  wrere  killed  or  wounded,  and  until  80 
horses  had  been  shot  in  the  harness.  The  batteries  were  then  retired  to  a 
position  in  rear  of  our  second  line  without  the  loss  of  a single  piece.  The 
infantry  also  retired  in  much  better  order  than  could  reasonably  have  been 
anticipated,  and  formed  in  rear  of  the  new  line.  At  9 P.  M.  on  Sunday,  I 
was  ordered  to  take  a position  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  line,  which  was 
done  at  once,  and  every  hour  was  occupied  in  strengthening  our  position 
until  we  were  ordered  to  recross  the  river. 

We  reerossed  on  Tuesday  night,  and  on  Wednesday  evening  the  entire 
command  was  in  its  former  camps. 

The  events  of  the  past  few  days  have  greatly  increased  my  confidence 
in  my  command.  Most  of  my  corps  marched  more  than  60  miles  in  three 

and  a half  days,  over  bad  roads  and  through  a severe  rain-storm,  the  men 

carrying  on  their  persons  eight  days’  rations  (more  than  double  the  amount 
ever  before  carried  by  any  troops  in  this  army),  besides  60  rounds  of 
ammunition  and  the  usual  amount  of  clothing.  On  this  march  the  com- 
mand crossed  two  rivers,  a portion  of  it  fording  one  of  them.  I have  never 
witnessed  a scene  that  tended  more  to  increase  my  confidence  in  our  troops, 
or  that  so  strongly  excited  my  admiration,  than  that  presented  by,  two 
brigades  of  Williams’  division  in  fording  the  Rapidan  River.  This  ford 
is  a very  difficult  one  at  all  times,  the  current  being  very  rapid,  the  bed 
of  the  river  uneven  and  very  rocky,  and  the  water  in  many  places  being  at 
least  4 feet  in  depth.  Not  only  the  officers,  but  every  soldier,  seemed  to 
appreciate  the  necessity  of  speedily  gaining  a position  on  the  opposite  bank, 
and  they  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  their  eagerness  to  execute  their 
orders.  The  fact  that  from  nearly  every  regiment  one  or  more  men  were 


92 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


swept  down  the  river  by  the  rapid  current,  and  were  only  saved  from 
drowning  by  cavalrymen  and  the  boatment  stationed  below  the  ford  for  the 
purpose  of  rescuing  such  as  might  lose  their  footing,  did  not  seem  in  the 
slightest  degree  to  dampen  their  ardor. 

The  command  was  in  camp  every  night  at  the  point  designated  by  the 
commanding  general  at  an  earlier  hour  than  that  named  in  his  instructions 
to  me. 

Notwithstanding  the  severity  of  the  march,  I have  never  seen  so  few 
stragglers.  The  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  in  each  engagement  with 
the  enemy  was  equally  gratifying.  The  Second  Division  on  Sunday  held 
its  line  until  forced  to  retire  by  the  appearance  of  the  enemy  in  its  rear. 
The  First  Division  maintained  its  position  until  long  after  every  round  of 
ammunition  had  been  exhausted. 

I cannot  designate  any  particular  regiment  as  worthy  of  special  com- 
mendation without  doing  injustice  to  others,  nor  can  I,  with  justice,  name 
any  of  my  officers  as  having  particularly  distinguished  themselves  where 
all  did  so  well.  Every  one  of  the  general  officers  discharged  his  full  duty. 

I am  greatly  indebted  to  General  Pleasonton  [cavalry  leader]  for  his 
services  on  our  march  from  Kelly’s  Ford  to  Chancellorsville.  He  was  with 
me  constantly,  and  greatly  assisted  me  not  only  by  his  knowledge  of  the 
country,  but  his  experience  in  conducting  a march  of  this  nature. 

The  members  of  my  staff — Lieut.  Col.  H.  C.  Rodgers,  Maj.  E.  W. 
Guindon,  Capts.  William  W.  Moseley  and  William  G.  Tracy — each  did  his 
duty  to  my  entire  satisfaction,  in  the  performance  of  which  the  latter  was 
very  severely  wounded.  I am  also  indebted  to  Capt.  C.  F.  Morse,  provost- 
martial  ; Capts.  F.  W.  Butler  and  I.  Thic-kstun,  signal  officers,  and  Lieut. 
E.  Diven,  aide-de-camp  to  General  [Nathaniel  J.]  Jackson,  and  G.  L. 
Birney,  acting  assistant  quartermaster,  who  acted  during  all  engagements 
as  volunteer  aides. 

To  other  members  of  my  staff — Lieut.  Col.  S.  H.  Sturdevant,  com- 
missary of  subsistence;  Lieut.  Col.  W.  R.  Hopkins,  and  Surg.  J.  McNulty — - 
I am  greatly  indebted  for  the  able  manner  in  which  they  discharged  the 
duties  of-  their  several  departments. 

I have  to  lament  the  loss  of  many  valuable  officers,  all  of  whom  were 
killed  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties.  Among  them  was  Colonel  Stainrook, 
One  hundred  and  ninth  Pennsylvania;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Scott,  Third  Wis- 
consin; Major  Chapman,  Twenty-eighth  Pennsylvania;  Captain  Hampton, 
Hamton ’s  battery,  and  Lieutenant  Crosby,  commanding  Battery  F,  Fourth 
U.  S.  Artillery. 

For  further  details,  I beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  accompanying  ■ 
reports  of  my  division,  brigade  and  regimental  commanders. 

I annex  a sketch  showing  the  positions  occupied  by  my  command  on 
the  1st,  2d,  and  3d  of  May,  and  inclose  a list  of  the  killed,  wounded  and 
missing,  from  which  it  appears  that  the  loss  of  the  corps  was  2,883.  [A 
revised  statement  shows  the  loss  at  2,822],  Of  those  reported  missing,  a 
large  number  have  been  brought  in  to  day,  wounded.  Many  others  are 


1863 


THE  CAMPAIGN  OF  GETTYSBURG 


93 


known  to  have  been  captured  in  attempting  to  reach  their  original  lines  on 
Saturday  night,  after  the  rout  of  the  Eleventh  Corps. 

My  command  consists  of  but  two  small  divisions,  the  Third  (Whipple’s) 
Division  having  been  temporarily  detached  for  special  service  by  virtue  of 
Special  Orders,  No.  303,  Headquarters  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  having 
never  been  permitted  to  rejoin  my  corps. 

My  losses,  as  stated  above,  were,  therefore,  about  30  per  cent,  of 
my  entire  effective  force. 

I am,  general,  very  respectively,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  Slocum, 
Major-General  Commanding. 

Brig.  Gen.  S.  Williams,  A.  A.  G.,  Army  of  the  Potomac.™ 


CHAPTER  XVII 

Beginning  of  the  Gettysburg  Campaign 

There  was  much  for  General  Slocum  to  do  after  the  return 
of  his  command  to  Stafford  Court  House.  The  picket  duty  was 
resumed  throughout  its  long  lines.  The  work  of  replenishing  his 
depleted  ranks,  with  new  recruits  or  chance  companies  and  regi- 
ments from  the  near  defenses  of  Washington,  was  at  once  entered 
upon  with  all  of  its  many  details  too  numerous  to  even  mention 
here.  He  was  insistent  upon  knowing  by  personal  inspection 
that  all  of  these  details  received  the  attention  his  orders  re- 
quired. The  labor  of  proper  adjustments,  and  the  bringing  of 
new  troops  of  the  different  arms  to  the  high  standard  of  disci- 
pline required,  gave  no  time  for  listlessness  among  the  officers 
or  men.  Dress  parades  were  frequent,  and  valuable  as  conducive 
to  proper  pride  and  self  respect,  individually  and  collectively. 
General  Slocum  possessed  the  faculties  necessary  to  secure  a 
very  high  standard  of  excellence  among  his  men  in  all  soldierly 
qualities  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  secure  and  retain  their  respect 
and  confidence. 

The  larger  part  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  remained  en- 
camped at  Falmouth,  Virginia,  again  watching  the  enemy  across 
the  Rappahannock,  sending  out  detachments  of  cavalry  to 
checkmate  the  enemy’s  cavalry  and  other  detachments,  and 
changing,  often  strengthening,  pickets  and  guards  in  different 
places  throughout  the  wide  extent  of  country  under  its  possible 
range. 


94 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


The  strength  of  General  Slocum’s  Xll'th  Corps  June  1,  1863, 
was  reported  briefly  as  follows:  Officers,  530;  infantry,  9,401; 
wagon  horses,  897 ; mules,  1,480 ; army  wagons,  365 ; two-horse 
wagons,  12 ; ambulances,  94 ; cavalry  horses,  102 ; artillery  horses, 
397.  Total  number  of  animals,  2,876. 

It  became  evident  the  latter  part  of  May  that  the  enemy 
had  about  completed  preparations  for  a movement  from  Fred- 
ericksburg; and  early  in  June  some  of  his  larger  commands 
moved  up  the  south  side  of  the  river.  There  were  evidences  of 
another  invasion  of  Maryland. 

At  10.15  p.  m.  June  3rd,  there  was  issued  by  Hooker,  yet 
commanding  general,  to  each  corps  commander  by  orderly  or 
telegraph  according  to  distance,  a special  order  to  have  reveille 
at  daylight  the  next  morning,  and  each  command  to  stand  at 
arms  for  half  an  hour  after,  the  horses  of  each  battery  harnessed, 
and  everything  in  readiness  for  any  movement  that  might  be 
ordered.  The  commands  were  to  be  then  dismissed  and  directed 
to  be  ready  for  further  orders. 

The  6th  of  June  Generals  Slocum  and  Howard  were  called 
on  to  each  send  detachments  of  500  infantry — one  or  two  regi- 
ments according  to  completeness — with  pack-mules  all  prepared 
to  be  absent  several  days  on  special  service,  the  destination  and 
details  of  which  were  not  given  to  the  detachments.  In  compli- 
ance with  this  call  General  Slocum  sent  the  Second  Massachu- 
setts and  Third  Wisconsin  regiments  to  report  to  General  Adel- 
bert  Ames  at  Spotted  Tavern  for  service  with  General  Alfred 
Pleasonton’s  Cavalry  Corps,  which  was  about  to  operate  against 
Confederate  J.  E.  B.  Stuart’s  cavalry.  The  engagements  with  the 
enemy  at  Beverly  Ford  of  the  Rappahannock,  Fleetwood,  and 
Brandy  Station,  resulted  June  9th  in  which  the  enemy  was 
crippled  and  the  object  of  the  expedition  was  attained. 

Slocum’s  guards  replaced  those  of  Howard  at  the  bridges 
and  railway  near  Stafford  Court  House  June  12th.  The  13th 
Slocum  moved  his  corps  by  way  of  Dumfries  and  across  the  Oc- 
coquan  Creek.  General  Hooker  also  started  toward  Washington 
this  day.  The  14th  and  15tli  the  hospital  tents  and  other  camp 
equipment  near  Slocum  at  Potomac  Creek  and  Bottoms  were, 
under  his  orders,  taken  to  the  proper  places  for  protection  pre- 


1S63 


THE  CAMPAIGN  OF  GETTYSBURG 


95 


paratory  to  continuing  the  movement  of  liis  corps  toward  the 
enemy  at  3 o’clock  a.  m.  June  17th. 

Keeping  the  Union  army  between  Washington  and  the 
enemy  was  yet  imperative;  and  only  detachments  were  moved 
until  the  enemy  was  well  away  from  Fredericksburg.  General 
Slocum  was  on  the  advance  line  and  was  closely  followed  by  the 
Reserve  Artillery.  June  18th  his  march  again  began  at  3.30 
a.  m.  with  course  to  Vienna,  Freedom  Hill,  and  Leesburg.  He 
met  difficulty  in  crossing  Goose  Creek,  the  water  being  high  and 
the  ford  muddy  and  in  bad  condition  generally. 

Slocum  was  to  hold  Leesburg,  open  communication  with 
fords  of  the  Potomac  within  prudent  distance,  and  hold  them 
also  against  the  enemy.  Bridges  were  needed;  and  he  was  ap- 
prised of  the  sending  of  trains,  including  those  conveying 
bridges.  He  was  also  apprised  of  the  movements  of  different 
commands  of  Union,  and  Confederate,  troops,  all  for  mutual 
understanding  and  support.  The  importance  of  great  alertness 
and  facility  of  communication  to  guard  against  sudden  attacks 
of  the  enemy  in  all  forms  including  guerrillas,  and  the  avoidance 
of  clashings  between  different  bodies  of  Union  troops,  necessi- 
tated the  establishment  of  telegraph  lines,  signal  stations,  and 
courier  lines,  in  order  that  all  his  troops  could  readily  communi- 
cate with  his  headquarters,  and  he  with  other  headquarters.  The 
details  of  such  varied  and  general  service  Avas  particularly 
fatiguing.  The  enemy’s  ea\mlry  was  this  day,  June  18th,  at 
Point  of  Rocks  destroying  railway  trains  on  the  north  side  of 
the  Potomac  about  equidistant  betAA'een  Leesburg  beloAv  and 
Harper’s  Ferry  aboA^e.  General  Howard  with  his  Kith  Corps, 
noAv  at  Goose  Creek,  was  ordered  to  be  subject  to  the  command 
of  General  Slocum;  also  other  Union  troops  now  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Potomac. 

The  commanding  general  issued  orders  June  18th  forbidding 
editors  of  neAvspapers  to  publish  the  position  of  his  headquarters, 
and  the  position  of  Union  troops  unless  engaged  in  battle.45 
June  19th  was  a Arery  busy  day  with  General  Slocum,  notwith- 
standing  his  loss  of  sleep  the  tAvo  previous  nights.  Reports  to  the 
commanding  general’s  headquarters  regarding  the  fords  of  the 
Potomac  aboA^e  and  beloAv,  AATith  repetition  of  reasons  why  certain 
ones  were  not  desirable:  receiving  and  transmitting  reports  re- 


96 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


garding  the  presence,  or  absence  at  certain  places,  of  the  enemy, 
and  the  positions  of  the  Union  troops,  while  keeping  oversight  of 
the  work  of  his  own  corps,  all  contributed  much  to  his  fatigue; 
but  he  reported  his  position  and  command  sufficient  for  local 
defense,  including  the  river  fords  in  hand,  but  not  for  all  fords 
inquired  about,  particularly  against  large  forces  of  guerrillas 
and  others  of  the  enemy.  He  recommended  a bridge  at  Edwards’ 
Ferry  for  convenience,  and  as  being  a good  defensive  position. 

Three  soldiers  of  General  Williams’  1st  Division  deserted. 
They  were  pursued,  caught,  and  at  once  tried  before  a military 
court  according  to  the  rules  of  war.  This  court  sentenced  them 
to  be  shot  at  noon.  The  condemned  men  were  engaged  during 
the  forenoon  in  writing  to  their  friends.  Two  were  apparently 
penitent.  Their  division  was  paraded  as  witnesses  of  the  execu- 
tion, and  the  entire  corps,  excepting  those  soldiers  necessarily  on 
picket  and  guard  duties,  was  formed  in  hollow  square  in  a large 
field  near  the  encampment.  All  officers  were  present.  An  army 
wagon  containing  three  coffins,  followed  by  a closed  ambulance 
containing  the  prisoners,  came  upon  the  field.  The  boxes  were 
placed  beside  the  open  graves  and  the  prisoners  were  seated  upon 
them.  A chaplain  made  an  impressive  prayer,  and  the  twenty- 
four  executioners  did  the  work  of  justice,  while  the  unmerciful 
enemy  was  not  far  away.  The  division,  which  these  men  de- 
serted in  its  time  of  need,  then  marched  by  their  fallen  com- 
rades; and  the  corps  resumed  its  duties.46 

Two  signal  officers  reported  June  '20th  to  General  Slocum 
for  duty;  and  they  proved  themselves  efficient  and  valuable 
aids.  Communication  was  now  opened  by  flag  signals  between 
General  Slocum’s  headquarters  and  those  of  General  Reynolds’ 
1st  Corps  then  at  Guilford  Station;  with  General  Howard’s  XI th 
Corps  then  at  Trappe  Rock ; also  by  signal  telegraph  with  Mary- 
land at  Poolesville,  Sugarloaf  Mountain,  Point  of  Rocks,  and 
Maryland  Heights.  These  signal  officers  also  made  reconnois- 
sances  under  Slocum’s  orders. 

Part  of  the  Xllth  Corps  was  now  reported  as  occupying 
three  redoubts  constructed  by  the  enemy,  one  of  which  pro- 
tected the  approaches  to  Edwards’  Ferry.  The  position  was  a 
strong  one,  and  Slocum  was  yet  improving  it.  The  large  com- 
mand of  the  Confederate  General  Ewell,  with  whom  General 


1863 


THE  CAMPAIGN  OF  GETTYSBURG 


97 


Slocum  had  later  to  contend,  was  reported  as  near  Winchester. 
The  engineers  reported  regarding  progress  in  the  bridges  across 
the  Potomac  River  and  Goose  Creek. 

Upon  receiving  inquiry  June  21st  from  army  headquarters 
regarding  the  enemy  at  great  distance,  General  Slocum  reported 
that  he  had  no  information,  and  that  he  had  no  cavalry  for 
reconnoissance.  He  was  thereupon  informed  that  General  Pleas- 
onton  had  been  directed  to  send  him  a regiment  of  cavalry  for 
use  in  scouting  the  country  between  Bull  Run  and  the  Blue 
Ridge  Mountains.  The  engineers  reported  the  completion  this 
day  of  the  Edwards’  Ferry  bridge  across  the  Potomac,  it  being 
1,340  feet  in  length.  A contraband  (freed  slave)  was  brought 
before  the  General  and  he  reported  the  whereabouts  of  several 
Confederate  commands  including  that  of  Ewell.  A deserter 
from  Longstreet’s  corps  was  also  brought  in  and  he  confirmed 
the  negro’s  report  that  Longstreet’s  and  other  corps  of  the  enemy 
were  in  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountain  Gaps,  and  Ewell  in  Maryland. 
General  Slocum  further  reported  from  Leesburg  to  army  head- 
quarters that  with  more  artillery  lie  could  keep  secure  all  the 
fords  of  the  Potomac  below  Edwards’  Ferry.  The  next  day 
Hooker  suggested  to  Slocum  that  he  could  get  batteries  from 
Howard’s  corps  if  artillery  was  needed  before  cavalry  was 
obtained  to  escort  the  artillery  reserves  to  him. 

Further  reports  to  Slocum  June  23rd  confirmed  the  pres- 
ence of  the  enemy,  Longstreet’s  strong  command  at  least,  near 
Snicker’s  Gap,  which  yet  showed  Slocum’s  position  an  advance 
one.  Upon  the  advancement  of  the  enemy  toward  Maryland, 
further  inquiries  came  to  Slocum  about  midnight  regarding 
Potomac  fords  between  the  enemy  and  Washington ; and  he  was 
prepared  to  report  satisfactorily  at  once. 

Another  regiment  of  cavalry  was  received  June  24th,  which 
enabled  Slocum  to  ascertain  regarding  the  movements  of  the 
enemy  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  as  well  as  east  of  the  Blue 
Ridge  Mountains.  He  was  also  further  reinforced  by  another 
brigade  of  infantry,  which  increased  his  recent  accessions  three 
thousand  men  or  more. 

General  Slocum’s  headquarters  now  increased  in  importance 
as  a center  for  receiving  and  transmitting  reports,  orders,  and 
communications  generally.  General  Howard’s  Xlth  Corps  was 


98 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


moved  forward  to  cooperate  according  to  Slocum’s  directions. 
June  25th  General  Reynolds’  1st  Corps,  Sickles’  Illrd  Corps, 
and  the  Xlth  Corps,  were  advanced  toward  Harper’s  Ferry. 
Slocum  was  able  this  day  to  declare  certain  rumors  regarding 
location  and  strength  of  the  enemy  to  be  exaggerations.  Orders 
continued  to  be  received  for  the  movement  of  different  Union 
corps. 

Having  detached  sufficient  forces  June  26th,  to  hold  Lees- 
burg and  the  bridges  and  fords  until  the  arrival  of  General 
Mead’s  Vth  Corps,  General  Slocum  marched  his  XHth  Corps 
from  Leesburg,  Virginia,  at  3 o’clock  a.  m.,  crossed  the  Potomac 
by  the  upper  bridge  at  Edwards’  Ferry,  turned  to  the  left  up 
the  river,  crossed  the  Monocacy  River  near  its  mouth,  and  pro- 
ceeded up  the  Potomac  to  Trammelstown  near  Point  of  Rocks. 
Most  of  his  detachments  that  had  been  left  behind  were  soon 
relieved  and  overtook  the  main  body  at  this  place. 

General  Slocum’s  march  the  27th  was  continued  to  Knox- 
ville, Maryland,  and  he  there  received  at  night,  directions  from 
the  commanding  general  to  be  ready  to  march  light  at  4 o’clock 
next  morning  with  ambulances,  but  with  small  if  any  trains; 
that  Colonel  Charles  R.  Lowell,  Jr.,  then  at  Poolesville,  would 
report  to  him  for  service  with  a regiment  of  cavalry;  also  two 
brigades  of  troops  from  General  William  PI.  French’s  command 
to  join  Slocum  at  6 a.  m.,  at  Harper’s  Ferry;  and  that  further 
communication  would  be  sent  in  the  night.  This  dispatch  from 
General  Hooker  bore  date  June  27th,  8 p.  m.  Soon  after  its 
reading,  another  dispatch  came  from  the  same  source  counter- 
manding the  previous  one,  and  directing  that  Colonel  Lowell 
report  to  General  French  at  Harper’s  Ferry;  and  that  General 
Slocum  with  his  XHth  Corps  should  march  to  army  headquar- 
ters, at  Frederick,  Maryland. 

These  were  the  last  orders,  command  or  countermand,  issued 
by  Major-General  Joseph  Hooker  as  commanding  general  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  His  plan  was  to  place  General  Slocum  in 
command  of  a force  sufficient  to  effectually  keep  between  the 
Confederate  army,  then  in  Maryland,  and  its  base  of  supplies, 
harassing  its  rear  during  its  advancement,  and  to  hold  its  retreat 
when  checked  by  other  parts  of  the  Union  army  on  its  front  and 
flank,  in  order  that  the  entire  invading  enemy  might  be  captured. 


1863 


THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG 


99 


The  authorities  in  Washington,  who  kept  informed  of  every  im- 
portant movement,  objected  to  the  removal  of  the  garrison  from 
Harper’s  Ferry  and,  as  Hooker  thought,  undertook  to  hamper 
him  in  other  ways ; and  lie  resigned  the  command  of  the  army. 

President  Lincoln  immediately  accepted  his  resignation  and 
ordered  Hooker  to  report  at  once  to  Washington,  thus  taking 
him  away  from  the  army  at  once. 

CHAPTER  XVIII 

Beginning  of  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg 

The  authorities  at  Washington  were  as  alert  regarding  their 
commanding  generals  as  they  were  regarding  the  movements  of 
the  enemy.  Hooker  had  done  well  in  putting  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  in  good  condition  for  the  field,  as  he  had  done  before 
the  Chancellorsville  Campaign.  But  his  superiors  began  to  fear, 
if  not  to  observe,  erratic  actions  that  excited  anew  their  remem- 
brance of  the  sad  results  at  Chancellorsville.  They  knew  the 
anxiety  of  the  corps  commanders ; and  it  could  not  have  been 
otherwise  than  that  Hooker  at  times  had  grave  apprehensions  of 
himself.  In  this  new  campaign  he  had  apparently  been  very 
considerate  toward  General  Slocum  and,  at  the  turning  point  of 
the  campaign,  placed  him  in  command  of  a force,  and  in  posi- 
tion, commensurate  with  his  deserts  and  where  he  could  be 
largely  independent  of  Hooker’s  commands  or  want  of  proper 
commands.  Slocum  was  determined  not  to  be  again  entrapped 
by  Hooker,  as  he  was  at  Chancellorsville,  and  he  rejoiced  at 
Hooker’s  resignation,  which  was  undoubtedly  providential. 

The  Washington  authorities  were  fully  prepared  for  the 
change  of  commanding  general  and  a courier  was  at  once  has- 
tened to  Frederick  to  place  Major-General  George  G.  Meade  of 
the  Vth  Corps  in  full  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac; 
and  the  next  morning,  June  28th,  Meade  issued  his  first  general 
order  accordingly. 

General  Sloc-um  arrived  at  Frederick  with  his  command 
about  2 p.  M.  of  the  28th  and,  to  aid  in  guarding  this  town  during 
the  night  against  any  possible  dash  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  he 
extended  his  command  during  the  afternoon  from  General  Rey- 
nolds’ 1st  Corps  on  the  Middletown  Road  to  Zimmerman’s  by 


100 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


Ballinger’s  Creek,  and  there  connected  with  General  Hancock’s 
Ilnd  Corps. 

Marching  orders  against  the  enemy  were  issued  that  evening 
for  1 a.  m.  June  29th.  At  that  hour  Slocum  proceeded,  passed 
through  Ceresville,  Walkersville,  and  Woodsborough,  to  Taney  - 
town,  Maryland.  The  Reserve  Artillery  was  to  precede  Slocum 
and  to  encamp  for  the  night  between  Middleburg  and  Taney- 
town.  General  Henry  H.  Lockwood  was  to  report  his  command 
to  Genera]  Slocum  and  march  with  him.  Slocum  had  early  re- 
ported to  Meade  that  there  were  a great  number  of  soldiers  from 
different  corps  lying  about  the  streets  of  Frederick  in  a very 
drunken  condition  when  he  marched  his  command  through  the 
town ; and  he  suggested  the  necessity  of  a cavalry  force  being 
sent  back  to  bring  them  to  their  commands. 

The  Xllth  Corps  continued  its  former  northeasterly  course 
June  30th.  Slocum’s  cavalry  had  a skirmish  with  the  enemy’s 
cavalry,  which  did  not  materially  delay  his  march  to  Littlestown 
and  Westminster,  Pennsylvania.  This  day  he  passed  General 
Sickles  and  his  Illrd  Corps.  General  Slocum  kept  close  study 
of  the  country  as  a necessary  rule  of  war;  and  now,  being  near 
strong  commands  of  the  enemy,  he  was  specially  alert  to  avoid 
being  attacked  unawares,  night  or  day  in  his  troops  or  trains 
bearing  supplies.  The  evening  of  this  day  he  received  a dispatch 
from  Meade,  requesting  him  to  take  command  of  the  Yth  Corps 
in  addition  to  his  present  command. 

General  Slocum’s  course  of  march  July  1st  was  changed  to  a 
north-westerly  direction  to  the  village  of  Two  Taverns,  situated 
about  five  miles  southeast  of  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania. 

The  circular  issued  this  day  from  the  commanding  general’s 
headquarters,  informed  the  generals  of  the  different  corps  that, 
if  the  enemy  assumed  the  offensive  and  attacked  he  should  be 
held  in  check  long  enough  to  withdraw  wagon  trains,  then  the 
Union  force  should  withdraw  to  a line  of  battle  in  the  general 
direction  of  Pipe  Creek,  a tributary  of  the  Monocacy  River,  and 
a few  miles  south  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  line.  In  this  case 
General  John  F.  Reynolds  was  to  take  command  of  the  Union 
Left  to  be  composed  of  Reynolds’  1st  Corps,  Sickles’  Illrd  Corps, 
and  Howard’s  Xlth  Corps;  and  General  Slocum  was  to  assume 
command  of  the  Union  Right  Wing  to  be  composed  of  Meade’s 


1863 


THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG 


101 


Ytli  Coi’ps  now  under  General  George  Sykes,  and  of  General 
John  S.  Sedgwick’s  Vltli  Corps,  all  in  addition  to  Slocum's  own 
Xlltli  Corps.  General  W.  S.  Hancock  with  the  Ilncl  Corps  was 
to  be  held  as  reserve.  The  region  of  Pipe  Creek  was  surveyed  by 
the  Army  Engineers  for  the  battle-field,  embracing  a line  of 
battle  about  twenty-five  miles  in  extent,  and  the  points  of  vantage 
were  chosen  for  the  Union  forces.  A very  important  party, 
however,  the  enemy,  was  not  consulted  regarding  the  Pipe  Creek 
field,  and  the  battle  rather  accidentally,  or  incidentally,  ensued 
at  Gettysburg  many  miles  distant. 

Had  the  enemy  desired  a general  battle  with  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  he  would  have  sought  it  in  Virginia  nearer  his  base 
of  supplies  and  before  it  was  recruited  after  Chancellorsville. 
The  enemy’s  desire  was,  rather,  to  levy  tribute  on  one  or  more 
wealthy  northern  cities  sufficient  to  gain  recognition  and  greater 
favors  from  European  nations,  as  well  as  prestige  nearer  home ; 
and.  probably,  he  was  no  more  anxious  for  a general  battle  than 
was  Meade. 

The  morning  and  afternoon  of  July  1st,  Slocum  received 
dispatches  from  Meade  informing  him  of  the  enemy’s  gathering 
at  Gettysburg,  of  their  engagement  there  with  part  of  the  Left 
Wing,  and  referring  him  to  the  circular  before  mentioned,  for 
his  guidance.  But  the  enemy,  like  the  widely  scattered  Union 
forces,  was  drawn  part  by  part  into  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg  by 
the  desire  to  help  the  comrades  already  there  engaged. 

The  skirmishing  began  about  nine  or  ten  o’clock  a.  m.,  the 
Confederates  thinking  that  they  sighted  militia  which  could  soon 
be  scattered,  as  had  been  the  case  with  them  for  several  days. 
But  here  they  first  met  part  of  General  Reynolds’  scattered 
corps.  Unfortunately  for  the  Union  force  engaged,  General 
Reynolds,  an  active,  strong  officer,  was  killed  early  in  the  attack. 
His  loss  resulted  in  the  confusion  of  his  outnumbered  men  from 
his,  and  their  own,  great  loss.  This  was  a bad  beginning  for  the 
Union  cause.  General  Howard  arrived  at  Gettysburg  late  in  the 
morning,  and  at  12.15  p.  m.  his  Xlth  Corps  began  to  arrive,  and 
the  rear  arrived  at  about  1.30  p.  m.  More  of  the  enemy  arriving 
about  the  same  time,  a second  engagement  began  about  2.00 

p M 33 

General  Howard,  justly  alarmed,  had  sent  to  Slocum  for 


102 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


help.  Slocum’s  leading  division,  the  llnd,  arrived  at  Two  Tav- 
erns at  11  a.  m.,  and  about  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  his  1st  Divi- 
sion Howard’s  call  was  delivered.  This  call  did  not  give  suffi- 
cient reason  for  Slocum  to  answer  it  immediately  as  desired  inas- 
much as  Howard,  as  well  as  Slocum,  had  received  a copy  of  the 
circular  directing  retreat  on  Pipe  Creek.  Slocum  was  bound  by 
the  same  order  not  to  bring  on  a general  engagement  elsewhere. 
He  was  occupying  the  post  where  stationed  by  his  commanding 
officer,  and  like  the  faithful,  obedient  commander  that  he  was, 
he  remained  at  his  post  of  duty.  Furthermore  he  had  not  heard 
guns.  A farmer  of  the  vicinity  now  came  from  the  direction  of 
Gettysburg  and  reported  severe  fighting  there.  This  report,  in 
connection  with  Howard’s  call  for  help,  caused  the  command 
of  Attention  to  at  once  pass  from  Slocum  to  his  corps,  which  was 
ready  in  a few  minutes  to  take  up  the  march.  They  started,  and 
soon  met  orders  from  Meade,  by  way  of  Hancock,  to  proceed  to 
Gettysburg.  Slocum  responded  promptly,22  his  command  being 
on  the  march  at  2 p.  m.  Slocum  also  dispatched  to  Hanover 
for  the  Ylth  Corps,  and  to  the  Yth  Corps  which  was  yet  nearer, 
to  proceed  at  once  to  Gettysburg. 

The  day  was  hot,  the  road  was  filled  with  dust,  and  the  sol- 
diers, worn  by  continued  long  marches,  were  showing  their 
fatigue  by  their  irregular  steps  and  carriage.  Upon  hearing  the 
guns  of  the  second  engagement  at  Gettysburg,  Slocum  passed 
along  the  weary  ranks  ‘ ‘ saying  in  his  cheery,  pleasant  way,  press 
on  men,  as  rapidly  as  you  can.  There  is  fighting  in  front  of  us. 
Press  on  and  follow  me.  And  at  once  that  tired  and  drooping 
column  straightened  up  as  if  a thrill  of  new  life  and  energy  had 
been  put  into  it,  and  hurrying  on  it  soon  came  upon  the  field  of 
battle. ”47  General  Slocum  made  the  best  time  of  all  in  arriving 
for  the  rescue. 4S  The  Second  Division  of  the  ‘Steadfast  Slo- 
cum’49 arrived  at  Gettysburg  and  Avas  in  position  for  battle  at 
Little  Round  Top  at  five  o’clock  p.  m.,  its  line  extending  toward 
the  hill  on  the  left.50  The  1st  Division  of  Slocum’s  men  on  arriv- 
ing at  Rock  Creek  under  General  A.  S.  Williams,  turned  to  the 
right  and  moved  toward  Wolf  Hill  for  the  purpose  of  flanking 
the  enemy’s  left;  but  Slocum,  on  learning  that  the  Union  forces 
had  retreated  to  Cemetery  Ridge,  ordered  General  Williams  to 
the  Baltimore  Pike  across  Rock  Creek  and,  Slocum  then  Avent  to 


104 


MAJOR-GENERAL  8 LOCUM 


1803 


the  Union  headquarters  at  the  Cemetery  where  he,  by  right  of 
seniority,  assumed  command  of  all  the  Union  forces  then  at 
Gettysburg,  which  included  the  shattered  1st  and  Xltli  Corps, 
with  the  afternoon’s  reinforcements  of  the  Illrd  Corps  under 
Sickles,  and  his  own  Xllth  Corps,  ‘ thus  making  secure  the  Union 
position,  which  before  offered  an  easy  prey  to  the  Confeder- 
ates. ’33 

General  0.  0.  Howard  of  the  Xltli  Corps,  who  was  in  a 
high  state  of  perturbation,  received  Slocum  as  a deliverer.  After 
many  years  had  elapsed  he  said  in  a public  address  that:  ’It 
would  require  the  entire  history  of  Gettysburg  to  fairly  portray 
Slocum’s  part  there.  After  securing  the  Cemetery  on  that 
eventful  night  he  and  I slept  side  by  side  at  the  Cemetery  Gate. 
Together  we  there  met  Meade  who  arrived  about  three  o’clock 
in  the  morning  of  the  2nd  of  July.’52 

The  Union  troops  rested  on  their  guns  during  the  night. 
Reinforcements  of  the  enemy  arrived  in  the  evening  in  large 
numbers  but  they  made  no  attack.  The  Union  general  command- 
ing, Meade,  arrived  at  Cemetery  Ridge  early  in  the  morning  from 
Taneytown,  Maryland. 

Upon  viewing  the  situation  by  daylight,  Thursday  morning 
July  2nd,  General  Meade  commenced  forming  his  line  on  the 
extreme  Union  right  for  the  purpose  of  descending  to  the  plain 
below  Culp’s  Hill,  one  of  the  most  important  parts  of  the  region, 
and  there  attacking  the  enemy’s  left.  General  Slocum  was  chosen 
to  make  this  attack.  After  careful  examination  of  this  region  in 
all  of  its  parts  Slocum  thought  Meade’s  plan  impracticable  and 
unwise,  and  so  reported  to  him.  General  Gouverneur  K.  Warren, 
Chief  Engineer  of  the  army,  was  directed  to  consider  this  ques- 
tion and,  after  his  careful  examination,  he  agreed  with  Slocum’s 
report.33 

Slocum  was  then  stationed  on  Culp ’s  Hill  in  command  of  the 
entire  Right  Wing,  which  place  he  at  once  intrenched  and  made 
secure,  plenty  of  timber  and  rock  being  at  hand.  Rock  Creek  at 
the  base  of  the  Hill  separated  Slocum’s  pickets  from  those  of  the 
enemy.  The  Vth  Corps,  also  under  Slocum’s  command,  was  but 
a few  miles  aAvav,  having  marched  well  into  the  night.  It  began 
to  arrive  about  7 a.  m.  and  two  divisions  were  stationed  as 


reserve. 


1863 


THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG 


105 


In  the  afternoon  the  enemy  opened  his  cannon  on  all  parts 
of  the  Union  line,  that  upon  the  left  being  at  first  most  severe, 
and  Slocum’s  Yth  Corps  was  sent  to  that  part  of  the  field.  The 
enemy’s  artillery  fire  at  the  Union  center  was  mainly  to  prevent 
reinforcements  being  moved  along  the  line,  but  it  was  not  fully 
effective  for  that  purpose. 

Howard’s  Xlth  Corps,  shattered  by  the  vigorous  onslaughts 
of  the  enemy  the  first  day  of  the  battle,  appeared  to  be  resting 
quietly  as  the  enemy’s  bombardment  nearly  ceased.  At  this 
time  General  Early,  of  Ewell’s  corps,  in  front  of  the  Union 
right,  decided  to  take  action  by  sending  two  brigades  about  dark 
up  the  narrow  ravine  leading  to  the  stone  wall  behind  which  part 
of  Howard’s  men  were  posted;  and  who  were  aroused  before  all 
the  enemy  had  time  to  climb  over  the  wall.  A sharp  contest 
drove  the  enemy  back,  the  troops  of  Slocum  on  Culp’s  Hill  help- 
ing. Slocum’s  artillery  had  more  than  held  its  own  against  that 
of  the  enemy  until  called  away  by  Meade ; also  his  skirmishing- 
line  of  small  arms  in  aid  of  Howard’s  men. 

The  general  commanding  the  Union  army  had  become  so 
fully  absorbed  on  the  Left  Wing  as  to  ignore  the  Right  Wing- 
further  than  to  use  it  as  a source  of  supply  of  reinforcements  for 
the  Left.  He  called  for  General  Slocum’s  entire  XHth  Corps, 
all  of  the  troops  remaining  on  the  Right,  to  be  sent  to  the  Left. 
This  order  was  met  by  Slocum’s  statement  that  it  could  not  be 
spared.  Meade,  however,  could  see  only  the  Left,  and  was  im- 
portunate. Slocum  sent  his  First  Division  to  answer  the  call. 
This  part  of  Slocum’s  men  drove  the  enemy  from  the  woods  at 
Little  Round  Top  and  recaptured  three  pieces  of  artillery  for- 
merly captured  by  the  enemy  before  the  arrival  of  Slocum’s 
men.  Meade  again  insisted  upon  more  men  from  Slocum’s  com- 
mand. Again  Slocum  hesitated,  as  Meade  called  for  the  aban- 
donment of  a most  important  position  to  the  enemy;  and  the 
generals  of  his  second  division  united  with  Slocum  in  a state- 
ment to  Meade  that  the  strong  lines  of  the  enemy  seen  iii  the 
morning  were  yet  opposing  them,  and  the  enemy’s  advance  on 
them  was  imminent.  Meade,  in  his  excitement  at  the  Left, 
again  called  for  the  remaining  part  of  Slocum’s  XHth  Corps, 
and  Slocum  warmly  requested  that  at  least  a division  should 
remain  to  attempt  to  hold  the  position;  but  Meade  was  obstinate 


106 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


and  would  consent  to  leave  but  a brigade  when  he  already  had 
more  troops  massed  on  the  left  than  he  could  there  use. 

General  Meade’s  reluctant  consent  to  leave  but  one  small 
brigade  of  Slocum’s  men  to  protect  the  Right  Wing,  barely  saved 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  from  being  overwhelmed  in  an  irre- 
trievable disaster.25  Slocum’s  name  and  ability  were  equal,  how- 
ever, to  victory  both  at  the  Right  Wing,  also  at  the  Left  Wing 
where  Meade  passed  all  of  his  time. 

With  the  small  number  of  troops  remaining  to  him  on  the 
Right,  Slocum  rose  equal  to  the  emergency  confronting  him,  and 
confronting  the  Union  as  well.  He  was  well  seconded  by  his 
able  and  obedient  brigade  general,  George  S.  Greene.  The  force 
remaining  at  Culp’s  Hill  now  consisted  of  only  five  regiments 
of  infantry  composed  of  only  1,350  men.  These  regiments  were : 
The  60th  New  York  under  Colonel  Abel  Godard]  the  78th  New 
York,  Colonel  Herbert  von  Hammerstein  ; 102nd  New  York,  Colo- 
nel Lewis  R.  Stegman ; 137th  New  York,  Colonel  David  Ireland; 
and  the  149th  New  York,  Colonel  Henry  A.  Barnum.  These  regi- 
ments will  be  again  recorded  later  in  this  book  as  among  the  best 
and  most  efficient  of  soldiers. 

With  this  small  body  of  troops  General  Slocum  attempted 
to  occupy  the  vacancy  in  the  breastworks,  left  by  their  departing 
comrades,  by  extending  their  line  to  the  right  one  man  deep  with 
intervals  between  each  one.  Before  this  movement  could  be  ac- 
complished his  skirmishers  were  driven  in  by  the  oncoming 
enemy.  Major-General  Edward  Johnson’s  division  of  Lieu- 
tenant-General R.  S.  Ewell’s  II nd  Confederate  Corps,  was  the 
nearest  to  General  Slocum ’s  front  and,  when  he  saw  the  depleted 
condition  of  Slocum’s  line,  he  was  sent  with  his  division  of  four 
brigades  to  capture  Slocum’s  one  small  brigade,  not  half  as  large 
as  each  one  of  Johnson’s  brigades. 

When  the  enemy  was  within  easy  range  of  Slocum’s  men 
each  one,  as  directed,  chose  his  man.  The  volleys  that  followed 
in  rapid  succession,  withered  the  enemy’s  lines,  each  one  causing 
him  to  seek  refuge  in  the  woods  in  his  rear  to  reform.  The 
enemy  thus  advanced  repeatedly  to  dislodge  or  capture  Slocum’s 
men  and  to  gain  their  breastworks,  but  without  success,  the 
strong  works  being  a great  protection  to  the  assailed  and  the 
means  of  direful  disaster  to  the  assailants.  The  Confederate 


1863 


THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG 


107 


General  George  H.  Steuart’s  brigade  at  last  overlapped  the  right 
of  Slocum’s  wing,  and  Steuart  led  his  men  into  the  breastworks 
there  vacated  by  Slocum’s  men  when  sent  to  Meade’s  support. 
This  gave  Steuai’t’s  men  opportunity  to  fire  on  the  flank  of  Colo- 
nel Ireland’s  regiment,  and  this  regiment  was  withdrawn  to  the 
rear  under  cover  of  the  darkness  now  come;  and  it  reformed  in 
line  at  right  angle  to  its  former  line,  thus  facing  the  enemy.  At 
this  time  small  reinforcements  of  350  men  from  the  1st,  and  175 
from  the  Xltli  Corps  arrived,  and  they,  with  the  darkness  of  the 
night  now  pervading  made  yet  darker  by  the  smoke  of  the  guns, 
enabled  Slocum’s  men  to  hold  their  position  during  the  night. 

This  sturdy  defense  of  Culp’s  Hill  by  General  George  S. 
Green's  brigade  of  Slocum’s  men,  was  one  of  the  most  remark- 
able achievements  at  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg.  The  60th  New 
York  Regiment  captured  two  flags.  After  discharging  their  guns 
at  close  quarters,  thus  thinning  and  confusing  the  nearby  enemy, 
several  Union  soldiers  jumped  over  the  breastworks  and  took 
several  of  the  flag-bearing  enemy  prisoners  with  their  flags. 
Colonel  David  Ireland’s  137th  New  York  Regiment  lost  137  of 
its  number,  viz. : 10  killed  including  four  oflicers ; 87  wounded, 
and  10  captured  or  missing.  It  suffered  more  than  any  other  of 
Slocum’s  regiments. 

The  Second  Maryland  Confederate  Infantry  advanced  fur- 
ther on  Culp ’s  Hill  than  any  other  of  the  combatting  enemy ; and 
this  point  is  now  marked  by  a monument. 

The  Confederate  General  Johnson  left  part  of  his  division 
to  hold  the  position  won.  and  with  strong  reconnoitering  force 
he  moved  cautiously  up  the  valley  of  the  run  in  rear  of  Culp’s 
Hill,  going  even  as  far  as  the  Baltimore  Pike,  within  100  yai’ds 
of  the  Union  reserve  artillery,  ammunition  and  other  supply 
trains,  and  on  the  line  of  retreat  of  the  Union  army,  as  well  as 
in  its  rear.  Even  Meade’s  headquarters  were  but  little  distant 
from  them.  The  stillness  at  this  point  was  alarming,  and  John- 
son remarked  to  his  staff,  ‘this  is  too  easy;  I believe  the  Yanks 
have  set  a trap  for  us.  ’ They  hastily  retraced  their  steps  to  their 
comrades  in  Slocum’s  breastworks,  where  they  arrived  about 
midnight,  and  there  passed  the  night.48  51 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  Confederates  had  much  of 
their  own  way  July  1st,  the  first  day  of  the  Battle  of  Gettvs- 


108 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


burg,  and  that  a few  of  their  men  broke  through  the  Union  line 
the  afternoon  of  July  3rd,  in  their  gallant  but  hopeless  charge 
on  the  center,  the  advance  of  the  Confederates  on  Culp’s  Hill 
against,  and  on  the  right  flank  of,  the  Union  Right  Wing  the 
evening  of  July  2nd,  advancing  as  they  did  to  the  rear  of  the 
Union  army  unmolested  by  the  grace  of  the  Union  commanding 
general  Meade,  and  then  sleeping  calmly  during  the  night  in  the 
Meade-vacated  Union  breastworks,  we  must  declare  General 
Johnson’s  position  as  the  real  ‘high  tide’  or  ‘high  water  mark’ 
of  the  Confederates’  opportunity  in  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg. 

The  great  difference  between  the  commanding  generals  at 
Gettysburg  appears  to  have  been,  with  Lee  not  to  improve  his 
chances  of  success  by  getting  away  from  his  line  of  retreat;  while 
Meade  trusted  his  trains,  ammunition,  and  his  highly  treasured 
line  of  retreat  to  the  care  of  General  Slocum  and  then  forcefully 
took  Slocum ’s  men  to  another  part  of  the  field  leaving  the  ap- 
proach to  his  treasures  open  to  the  enemy. 

Lieutenant-General  R.  S.  Ewell’s  Corps  was  composed 
largely  of  Thomas  J.  (Stonewall)  Jackson’s  men.  Every  care- 
ful reader  of  the  full  story  of  the  Civil  War  knows  what  General 
Jackson  would  have  been  doing  with  them  that  afternoon  and 
evening  had  his  life  been  spared  at  Chancellorsville.  One  of  his 
marvelous  detours  around  Culp’s  Hill  would  have  cut  off 
Meade’s  carefully  planned  retreat,  captured  his  supply  trains, 
and  would  have  routed,  if  not  captured,  the  Union  army.22  48 

CHAPTER  XIX 

Council  op  War.  Confederates  Defeated 

The  commanding  general,  Meade,  the  evening  of  the  second 
day’s  battle,  called  his  corps  commanders  to  a council  of  war  at 
his  head  quarters.  Twelve  generals  were  present  including 
Meade,  his  chief  of  staff  Butterfield,  Warren  the  chief  engineer 
who  was  wounded  and  slept  during  the  meeting,  and  A.  S.  Wil- 
liams of  Slocum’s  XHth  Corps.  General  Sickles  of  the  Illrd 
Corps,  who  was  wounded  and  unable  to  be  present,  was  repre- 
sented by  his  division  commander  Brigadier-General  Birney. 
Hancock  and  Brigadier-General  John  Gibbon  represented  the 
Ilnd  Corps. 


1863 


THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG 


109 


General  Meade  presented  three  cpiestions  for  settlement. 
The  first  related  to  retiring  the  Union  army  from  Gettysburg  to 
a place  nearer  the  base  of  supplies;  the  second  related  to  the  ad- 
visability of  attacking  the  enemy  or  awaiting  his  attack ; and  the 
third  regarding  the  time  of  attack,  if  attack  was  decided  upon. 
These  questions  evoked  considerable  discussion.  None  was  satis- 
fied with  the  condition  of  affairs,  few  favored  retiring  from 
Gettysburg,  and  all  who  spoke  first  favored  delay.  As  in  all 
professional  councils  the  senior  in  rank,  General  Slocum  in  this 
instance,  was  the  last  one  called  on  for  his  opinion.  With  evi- 
dent displeasure  from  having  been  unnecessarily  deprived  of  the 
most  of  the  soldiers  of  his  command  to  the  great  detriment  of  his 
Right  Wing,  as  well  as  thereby  the  endangering  of  the  entire 
army,  General  Slocum  ?s  reply  was  at  once  terse  and  emphatically 
“Stay  and  Fight  It  Out.”  This  injunction  was,  however, 
quickly  followed  by  what  was  really  a demand  that  his  Xllth 
Corps,  at  least,  be  at  once  restored  to  him  that  he  might  at  day- 
break the  next  morning  attack  the  enemy  opposing  his  front, 
drive  him  back,  and  at  least  preserve  the  full  and  proper  lines  of 
his  Wing. 

The  rough  minutes  in  part  of  this  historic  council  have  been 
preserved,  and  formulated  as  follows,  namely : 

Minutes  of  Council,  July  2nd,  i863: 

Page  1,  Questions  asked : 

1.  Under  existing  circumstances  is  it  advisable  for  this  army  to  remain 
in  its  present  position,  or  to  retire  to  another  nearer  its  base  of  supplies  ’ 

2.  It  being  determined  to  remain  in  present  position,  shall  the  army 
attack  or  wait  the  attack  of  the  enemy? 

3.  If  we  wait  attack,  how  long? 

Page  2,  Replies: 

Gibbon:  1.  Correct  position  of  the  army,  but  would  not  retreat. 
2.  In  no  condition  to  attack,  in  his  opinion.  3.  Until  he  moves. 

Williams:  1.  Stay.  2.  Wait  attack.  3.  One  day. 

Birney:  Same  as  General  Williams. 

Sykes:  Same  as  General  Williams. 

Newton:  1.  Correct  position  of  the  army,  but  would  not  retreat. 
2.  By  all  means  not  attack.  3.  If  we  wait  it  will  give  them  a chance  to 
cut  our  line. 

Page  3 : 

Howard:  1.  Remain.  2.  Wait  attack  until  4 P.  M.  to-morrow.  3.  If 
don ’t  attack,  attack  them. 

Hancock:  1.  Rectify  position  without  moving  so  as  to  give  up  field. 


no 


MAJOR-GENERA L SLOCUM 


1863 


2.  Not  attack  unless  our  communications  are  cut.  3.  Can’t  wait  long; 
can’t  be  idle. 

Sedgrwick:  1.  Remain  [2.]  and  wait  attack.  [3.]  At  least  one  day. 

Slocum:  Stay  and  fight  it  out. 

[On  the  back,  of  the  first  page  of  the  sheet]  : 

Slocum,  stay  and  fight  it  out.  Newton  thinks  it  a bad  position;  Han- 
cock puzzled  about  practicability  of  retiring;  thinks  by  holding  on,  invit- 
ing, to  mass  forces,  and  attack.  Howard  favor  of  not  retiring.  Birney 
don ’t  know.  Third  Corps  used  up  and  not  in  good  condition  to  fight. 
Sedgwick,  doubtful  whether  we  ought  to  attack.  Effective  strength  about 
9,000,  12,500,  9,000,  6,000,  8,500,  6,000,  7,000.  Total,  58,000. 

Colonel  George  Meade  deposited  the  original  sheets  of  the 
Minutes  of  this  Council  of  War  with  the  Pennsylvania  Histori- 
cal Society,  Philadelphia.22  50 

General  Slocum’s  emphatic  stand,  and  Ins  desire  to  take 
the  initiative,  infused  like  spirit  in  the  other  commanders  and 
won  their  hearty  approval,  whereupon  the  council  closed.50 
Slocum  at  once  set  to  work  to  recall  the  parts  of  his  Xlltli  Corps 
that  had  been  called  to  the  suport  of  the  Union  left,  and,  at  mid- 
night they  were  positioned  to  cover  the  line  of  the  Baltimore 
Pike,  his  leading  column  coming  on  soon  after  the  Confederate 
General  Johnson’s  reconnoitering  force  retraced  its  steps;  but 
neither  knew  of  the  other’s  proximity,  Slocum  having  had  no 
men  with  which  to  picket  the  ground,  and  thinking  that  Johnson 
remained  in  the  breastworks  with  his  men.  Slocum’s  artillery 
arm  was  also  carefully  strengthened  and  positioned,  and  all  arms 
had  definite  orders  from  him  to  assault  the  enemy  as  soon  as  he 
could  be  seen  in  the  morning. 

The  enemy  opposing  Slocum  was  also  strongly  reinforced 
during  the  night  by  Smith’s  brigade  from  General  Early’s  divi- 
sion, and  Daniel’s,  and  O’Neal’s  brigades  from  Rodes’  division, 
of  Ewell’s  Corps,  all  numbering  12,000  men  or  more,  strong,  a 
far  larger  force  than  Slocum’s.  Ewell  also  held  several  brigades 
in  reserve. 

Thus  opposed  by  a far  superior  force,  Slocum  did  not  await 
the  enemy’s  convenience,  but  opened  the  battle  at  early  dawn; 
and  the  roar  of  his  heavy  guns  aroused  all  the  other  parts  of 
both  armies  which  remained  quiet  as  though  on  tiptoe  of  antici- 
pation ; Lee,  apparently  with  full  confidence  in  Ewell  to  take  care 
of  his  left ; and  Meade,  apparently  with  equal  confidence  in  Slo- 


1863 


THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG 


111 


cum  whether  he  had  sufficient  troops,  and  support,  or  not.  The 
battle  that  ensued  was  not  only  the  longest  of  all  engagements  at 
Gettysburg,  seven  hours  duration,  but  it  displayed  some  of  the 
most  brilliant  fighting  of  the  entire  war.  Slocum’s  artillery  was 
the  more  advantageously  placed,  and  gave  the  enemy  a destruc- 
tive cross  fire  which  threw  him  into  confusion  and  compelled  him 
to  seek  shelter  in  the  woods  for  reforming  his  lines.  When  he 
again  approached,  his  ranks  were  met  by  Slocum’s  men  who  had 
also  been  reformed  to  meet  them  with  small  arms’  cross  fire  as 
well  as  by  artillery.  But  the  enemy  was  composed  of  similar 
veterans  who  had  been  tutored  by  a like  disciplinarian,  and  they 
were  possessed  with  the  same  determination  to  make  favorable 
record,  and  they  fought  accordingly. 

About  nine  o’clock  in  the  morning  the  Second  Maryland 
Confederate  Infantry,  which  had  held  the  highest  point  attained 
in  the  night,  made  a bold  and  desperate  attempt  to  storm  a part 
of  the  summit  and  get  lodgment  in  Slocum’s  commanding  posi- 
tion; but  it  was  quickly  repulsed  with  the  loss  of  its  Colonel 
and  half  of  its  men.  This  ambitious  regiment  was  opposed  by 
the  First  Maryland  Regiment  of  Slocum ’s  men,  neighbors  against 
neighbors.  A half  hour  later  Ruger’s  division  of  Slocum’s 
troops  was  swung  around  to  the  right  taking  the  enemy  in  flank 
and  ‘rolling’  his  forces  up  the  opposing  ridge  in  grand  form. 
Now  was  the  looked  for  opportunity  by  Slocum’s  men  of  General 
Geary’s  division.  They  sprang  forward  with  loud  cheers,  impet- 
uously assailed  the  enemy  remaining  in  the  Union  breastworks  to 
their  right,  drove  him  back  and,  supported  by  the  1st  Division 
which  constructed  the  works,  this  part  of  the  enemy  that  did  not 
meet  death  or  capture,  hastily  retreated  to  the  woods.  At  11 
o’clock  Slocum  was  again  in  full  possession  of  the  lines  of  the 
Right  Wing  of  the  Army,  and  the  enemy  was  more  distant  from 
his  front  than  they  were  the  day  before. 

Of  the  losses  in  Slocum’s  battle,  those  of  the  enemy  were 
reported  as  2,015  in  Johnson’s  command,  and  those  of  the  three 
additional  brigades  of  other  divisions  of  Ewell’s  Corps  were  not 
definitely  repoi’ted.  Slocum’s  losses  were  1,156.  More  than  500 
prisoners  were  captured  from  the  enemy. 

Slocum  did  not  use  all  of  his  command  at  Gettysburg  in 
this  battle.  Parts  of  the  Vth  and  Vltli  Corps  were  not  em- 


] 12 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


ployed.  As  soon  as  liis  front  regiments  were  short  of  ammuni- 
tion they  were  relieved  by  others,  passed  to  the  rear  where  they 
gathered  fresh  supply,  cleaned  their  guns,  and  were  then  re- 
turned to  the  front,  their  cheers  ringing  clear  and  loud.  Many 
cases  of  heroism  could  be  enumerated  as  occurring  on  both  sides, 
the  Union  and  the  Confederate,  for  Americans  were  battling 
against  Americans,  and  each  side  had  to  reckon  with  no  weak  foe. 

Much  has  been  written  about  the  contests  at  Gettysburg  on 
the  Union  Left  and  Center ; but  comparatively  little  has  been 
written  about  the  contests  on  the  Union  Right — of  the  most 
important  work  done  by  Slocum  there,  and  of  the  opportunities 
and  possibilities  of  the  enemy  there  the  afternoon  and  first  part 
of  the  night  of  July  2nd  from  the  unwitting,  arbitrary  action  of 
General  Meade  in  depriving  the  Right  Wing  of  its  sadly  needed 
defenders.  General  Oliver  0.  Howard,  after  time  for  mature 
thought  said  : ‘ ‘ The  most  impressive  incident  of  the  great  battle 
of  Gettysburg  was  Slocum’s  own  battle.  I was  awakened  from 
my  bed  in  the  Cemetery  the  morning  of  the  3rd  of  July  at  day- 
break by  the  startling  roar  of  Slocum’s  guns.  Slocum’s  resolute 
insistence  the  afternoon  of  July  2nd  and  his  organized  work 
and  battle  of  the  ensuing  morning,  in  my  judgment  prevented 
Meade’s  losing  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  It  was  a grand  judg- 
ment and  action  of  Slocum’s;  a step  all-important  and  essential 
to  victory.”52 

General  George  S.  Greene  who  so  gallantly  stood  by  General 
Slocum’s  commands  and  personally  inspired  his  brave  brigade 
with  Slocum ’s  ne ’er  give  up  tenacity,  afterwards  wrote : “To 
the  discernment  of  General  Slocum  who  saw  the  danger  to  which 
the  army  would  be  exposed  by  the  movement  ordered  by  Meade 
to  deplete  the  Right  Wing  the  afternoon  of  July  2nd,  and  who 
took  the  responsibility  of  modifying  the  orders  which  lie  had  re- 
ceived from  Meade,  is  due  the  honor  of  having  saved  the  army 
from  a great  and  perhaps  fatal  disaster.”22 

Between  10  and  11  o’clock  a.  m.  July  3rd,  “everything  looked 
favorable  with  General  Slocum’s  command  on  the  right,”  wrote 
General  Henry  J.  Hunt,  Chief  of  Artillery,  in  reporting  his  in- 
spection of  the  battle-field,  “and  I crossed  over  to  Cemetery 
Ridge  to  see  what  might  be  going  on  at  other  points.  Here  a 
magnificent  display  greeted  my  eyes.  Our  whole  front  for  two 


1863 


THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG 


113 


miles  Avas  covered  by  [the  enemy’s]  batteries  already  in  line  or 
going  into  position.  They  stretched,  apparently  in  one  unbroken 
mass,  from  opposite  the  toAvn  on  our  right  to  the  Peach  Orchard, 
Avhich  bounded  the  A7ieAV  to  the  left,  the  ridges  of  which  were 
planted  thick  AA7ith  cannon.  Never  before  had  such  a sight  been 
witnessed  on  this  continent,  and  rarely,  if  ever,  abroad.  What 
did  it  mean?  It  might  possibly  be  to  hold  that  line  while  its 
infantry  was  sent  to  aid  EAvell  [to  break  through  Slocum’s  Eight 
Wing]  or  to  guard  against  a counter-stroke  from  us ; but  it  most 
probably  meant  an  assault  or  our  center,  to  be  preceded  by  a 
cannonade  in  order  to  crush  our  battei’ies  and  shake  our  in- 
fantry; at  least  to  cause  us  to  exhaust  our  ammunition  in  reply, 
so  that  the  assaulting  troops  might  pass  in  good  condition  over 
the  half  mile  of  open  ground  which  was  beyond  our  effective 
musketry  fire.”22 

Orders  were  issued  along  the  Union  front,  beginning  with 
Slocum’s  Right  Wing,  to  withhold  fire,  for  the  conser\7ing  of 
ammunition  until  it  was  developed  Avhere  best  results  could  be 
obtained.  The  enemy’s  138  cannon  soon  opened  along  his  entire 
line  “the  severest  artillery  fire  that  I had  eA7er  Avitnessed”  wrote 
General  Slocum  in  his  Official  Report.  This  great  effort  of  the 
enemy  caused  Slocum  concern  regarding  his  men  who  were 
obliged  to  seek  sheltered  places  as  much  as  practicable  from  the 
great  flight  of  solid  shot  and  shell. 

Following  the  cannonading  the  enemy  assaulted  the  Union 
left  center,  and  Slocum  moved  his  1st  Division  of  the  Xllth 
Corps  to  the  support  of  that  part  of  the  field.  This  Avas  the  last 
great  effort  of  the  enemy,  and  he  was  roundly  beaten ; after 
Avhich  comparative  quiet  prevailed  during  the  night. 

The  enemy  kept  strong  picket  and  front  lines  before  Slo- 
cum’s position  during  this  night  of  July  3rd;  but  early  next 
morning  it  Avas  reported  that  he  Avas  withdrawing.  Slocum’s 
line  Avas  at  once  advanced,  and  it  occupied  the  enemy’s  Rock 
Creek  defenses  AA'ithout  opposition.  General  Slocum  also  ordered 
forAA-arcl  General  Ruger’s  brigade  of  his  1st  Division  of  the 
Xllth  Corps,  and  accompanied  it  in  person  in  a reconnoissance 
of  the  country  for  several  miles  to  the  eastward,  and  returning 

to  the  northward  and  westward  they  passed  through  the  Village 
8 


2 

D 

O 

O 

i-l 

in 

35 

a 

55 

05 
< 
* 

X 

Z 

Cx5 

X 

X 

X 

Z 

a 

6 


o 

*"3 

< 

8 

G=< 

o 

£> 

H 

<1 

H 

(0 

Z 

◄ 

3 

H 

<0 

W 

o* 

w 

Ed 

33 

H 


j>» 

•3 

J-H 

o3 

£ 

■*-0 

:» 

<D 

£ 

^3 

d 

o 

m 

bO 

g 

2 

o 

o 

h3 


'd 

a 

d 

o 


% 

'3 

e3 


o 

m 

O 

2 

2 

x 


3 

CO 

rS" 

3 

o 

a 

O 


1863 


THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG 


115 


of  Gettysburg.  Reconnoissances  westward  and  southward  also 
showed  that  the  enemy  had  fully  retreated. 

In  the  meantime  burying  the  dead  was  continued  until  about 
one  thousand  of  the  Confederate  killed  were  buried  in  front  of 
Slocum’s  position.  Many  others  had  been  buried  by  their  com- 
rades. Several  thousand  small  arms  were  collected,  and  many 
others  were  left  scattered  around  this  part  of  the  field  when 
the  calls  to  other  service  were  sounded. 

Soon  after  midday  -July  4th,  a most  remarkable  thunder 
storm  burst  over  the  battle-field  and  the  country  for  many  miles 
around.  The  rain  fell  in  sheets  which  soon  formed  torrents  in 
every  depression,  washing  away  everything  movable.  The  dark- 
ness was  intense  between  the  lightning  flashes.  This  storm, 
however,  did  not  prevent  Confederate  General  John  B.  Im- 
boden’s,  and  the  other  forces  of  the  enemy’s  continued  prepara- 
tions for  retreat,  according  to  General  Lee’s  directions.  Im- 
boden’s  forces  gathered  the  wagon  trains,  and  ambulances, 
loaded  those  of  their  wounded  thought  able  to  ride,  and  started 
towards  Cliambersburg ; the  most  rapidly  moving,  and  probably 
the  saddest  of  all  the  sad  columns  of  the  retreating  Confed- 
erates.22 

The  earlier  reports  of  losses  in  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg 
showed  those  on  the  Union  side  to  be : 2,834  killed,  13,790 
wounded,  and  6,643  missing.  No  accurate  account  of  the  enemy’s 
loss  could  be  obtained.  One  early  account  from  Union  source 
reads  that  4,500  of  his  dead  were  buried  by  Union  soldiers,  that 
26,500  wounded  were  left  on  the  field,  and  that  13,621  prisoners 
not  wounded  were  captured.  That  there  were  taken  from  the 
enemy  41  standards  of  colors,  3 cannon,  and  24,973  small  arms.53 
Another  report  gives  the  enemy’s  loss  as  low  as  20,000  which  is, 
probably,  as  much  too  low  as  the  preceding  number  is  too  high. 
A later  report,  which  is  probably  as  accurate  as  can  be  obtained, 
reads:  Union,  killed,  3,155;  wounded,  14,529;  missing,  5,365; 
total,  23,049.  Confederate,  killed,  3,903;  wounded,  18,375;  miss- 
ing, 5,425;  total,  28, 063. 114 

Many  great  characters  in  history  have  left  notable  senti- 
ments indicative  of  one  or  more  of  their  prominent  characteris- 
tics which  should  be  preserved  as  texts  to  be  treasured  as  remind- 


] 16 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


ers,  and  incentives,  for  the  youth,  and  even  throughout  the  lives 
of  most  people. 

General  Slocum’s  terse  declaration  to  the  Council  of  War 
in  the  dark  hour  of  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg  of  STAY  AND 
FIGHT  IT  OUT  should  early  be  instilled  into  the  mind  and  ef- 
fort of  every  child,  youth,  and  adult,  and  repeated  at  every 
halting  or  wearisome  stage  of  worthy  endeavor. 

As  General  Slocum  declared  in  that  near-desponding  coun- 
cil, so  would  the  battle  have  ended — for  the  preservation  of  the 
Union,  or  for  the  victory  of  the  Confederate  States.  His  unhes- 
itating pronouncement  gave  new  hope,  vigor,  and  expectation  to 
his  wavering  audience  of  generals ; and  his  prompt  and  emphatic 
work  during  the  night,  and  his  prompt  and  vigorous  battle  at 
daybreak,  saved  the  Union  army  from  direful  defeat,  probably 
resulting  in  disruption  of  the  Union. 


CHAPTER  XX 

The  Pursuit  of  the  Retreating  Enemy 
The  commanding  general,  Meade,  has  been  much  criticised, 
and  censured,  regarding  his  tardy  beginning  and  slow  pursuit  of 
the  enemy  from  the  field  of  Gettysburg  battle.  Neither  the  right 
nor  left  wing  commander,  nor  the  commander  of  any  corps,  is 
proper  subject  of  criticism  for  this,  as  each  and  all,  in  movement, 
were  subject  at  all  times  to  the  order  of  the  commanding  general 
of  the  army.  Each  evening  every  corps  commander  received,  from 
the  headquarters  of  the  army,  description  of  the  course  and 
action  to  be  taken  by  his  corps  the  next  day,  with  such  details  as 
would  enable  the  commanding  general  to  know  at  all  times  the 
position  of  all  his  forces. 

From  early  in  the  morning  of  the  retreat,  Union  cavalry  de- 
tachments were  around  to  harass  the  beaten  and  retreating  foe. 
Sunday,  July  5th,  different  corps  of  infantry  started  in  pursuit 
of  him,  particularly  the  largest  and  least  battle  exhausted  Vlth 
Corps,  under  direct  orders  of  General  Meade.  General  Slocum, 
now  to  act  on  the  Union  left  that  he  might  be  in  position  for 
best  getting  in  front  of  the  enemy,  marched  to  Littletown,  Penn- 
sylvania, July  5th  with  his  command  now  composed  of  the  Xlltli 
and  Ilnd  Corps  and,  strictly  according  to  Meade’s  orders  re- 


1863 


THE  RETREATING  ENEMY  PURSUED 


117 


mained  there  two  days.  He  resumed  the  march  at  1 a.  m.  of 
July  7th,  and  continued  to  Walkersville,  Maryland,  a distance  of 
twenty-nine  miles  through  much  rain  and  mud,  with  soldiers  yet 
much  fatigued  with  former  marchings,  the  excitement  and  strain 
of  a great  battle,  and  many  without  shoes.  They  passed  through 
Frederick  the  8tli,  and  to  the  neighborhood  of  Jefferson.  The 
evening  of  this  day  Slocum  was  directed  to  relieve  some  Penn- 
sylvania militia  then  at  Crampton’s  Pass,  and  to  send  them  to 
their  brigade  to  the  northward. 

The  reader  should  bear  in  mind  that  great  excitement  pre- 
vailed throughout  the  northeastern  States  when  the  Confederate 
Army  of  Virginia  began  the  invasion  of  Maryland  and  Pennsyl- 
vania the  latter  part  of  June,  and  that  great  efforts  were  made, 
especially  by  Ohio,  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  New  York,  and 
New  Jersey,  to  enlist  volunteers  for  the  protection  of  these 
States  particularly.  Martial  Law  was  declared  in  Maryland  and 
Pennsylvania.  The  last  named  State  was  divided  into  two  Mili- 
try  Departments,  that  of  the  Monongahela,  to  embrace  the  west- 
ern part  of  this  State  and  eastern  Ohio,  with  headquarters  at 
Pittsburg;  and  the  Department  of  the  Susquehanna,  to  embrace 
the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  with  headquarters  at  Harrisburg. 
Major-General  Darius  N.  Couch,  a veteran  of  good  repute,  was 
assigned  to  the  command  of  this  last  named  Department.  Mary- 
land had  headquarters  at  Baltimore.  Large  numbers  of  men 
volunteered  in  these  Departments,  for  local  protection  mainly. 
A general  call  by  the  Washington  authorities  also  brought  large 
enlistment  for  United  States  service.  To  illustrate  the  ineffi- 
ciency of  many  of  these  new  recruits  in  emergency  like  this  in- 
vasion, a report  of  Brigadier-General  William  F.  Smith  is  here 
given ; and  it  may  show  to  many  why  the  enemy  was  not  caught 
while  on  his  retreat.  General  Smith  was  a very  efficient  officer 
who  had  seen  much  service  as  a division  commander  with  Mc- 
Clellan during  his  Peninsular  Campaign,  in  the  Battle  of  the 
Antietam,  and  elsewhere.  During  the  Gettysburg  Campaign  he 
was  in  charge  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia  south  of  the  Susque- 
hanna River.  His  report  to  General  Meade  July  8th,  1863,  from 
Waynesborough,  Pennsylvania,  was  as  follows:  “My  command 
arrived  here  to-day  and,  finding  General  Neill  here,  I have  en- 
camped so  as  to  render  him  all  possible  assistance  till  definite 


118 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


instructions  are  sent  to  me.  My  command  is  an  incoherent  mass 
and,  if  it  is  to  join  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  1 would  suggest 
that  the  brigades,  five  in  number,  be  attached  to  old  divisions, 
and  thus  disperse  the  greenness.  They  cannot  he  maneuvered, 
and  as  a command  is  quite  helpless,  excepting  in  the  kind  of  duty 
I have  kept  them  on  in  the  mountains.  I have  here  about  four 
thousand  men,  and  I suppose  two  thousand  have  straggled  away 
since  we  left  Carlisle.  General  Knipe  is  the  only  one  I have  with 
me  who  is  at  all  serviceable,  and  he  is  anxious  to  get  hack  to  his 
own  brigade  in  the  Xlltli  Corps  [of  General  Slocum’s  com- 
mand], I am  utterly  powerless,  without  aid  and  in  the  short 
time  allotted,  to  infuse  any  discipline  into  these  troops,  and  for 
the  reasons  given  above  make  the  suggestion  as  being  for  the 
best  interests  of  the  service.”54  No  experienced  officer  had  any 
desire  for  such  recruits  in  his  command,  particularly  for  short 
service  enlistments,  excepting  from  necessity  for  filling  his  ranks 
depleted  by  battle,  expiration  of  term  of  enlistment,  or  chronic 
disability;  but  such  necessity  was  of  frequent  occurrence  during 
the  Civil  War. 

General  Slocum  crossed  South  Mountain  July  9th  through 
Crampton’s  Pass,  and  dispatched  the  crude  force  of  Pennsyl- 
vania Militia  northward  as  desired.  The  men  of  Slocum’s  com- 
mand were  all  deeply  interested  in  the  Pass  here  so  signally 
cleared  of  the  invading  enemy  the  previous  year,  by  some  of  their 
number  now  present,  and  their  commander.  Encampment  was 
made  for  the  night  at  Rohrersville.  July  10th  the  march  led 
through  Keedysville,  and  through  the  Antietam  Battle-field,  to 
Bakersville,  where  cavalry  pickets  of  the  enemy  were  met.  Line  of 
battle  was  here  formed,  skirmishers  were  advanced,  and  the 
enemy  retreated  before  them.  The  next  day  the  march  was 
through  the  Tillage  of  Fair  Play  and  to  Jones’  Cross  Roads,  evi- 
dently not  far  from  the  main  body  of  the  escaping  foe.  The 
position  Slocum  was  here  ordered  to  take,  he  reported  to  Meade 
as  wholly  untenable,  as  being  commanded  by  the  enemy  from 
heights  in  two  positions  then  occupied  by  the  Confederates  who 
were  liable  to  cut  off  Slocum’s  trains.  He  was  then  given  per- 
mission to  change  his  position  as  thought  by  him  best.  July  12th 
and  13th  were  passed  in  endeavor  to  definitely  locate  the  foe,  he 
then  being  somewhere  beyond  Marsh  Run,  the  low,  broad  hanks 


a 


1863 


ANOTHER  COUNCIL  OF  WAR 


119 


of  which  were  now  covered  by  water  from  the  recent  heavy 
rains.  The  12th  of  July,  a part  of  Slocum’s  Ilnd  Division  of 
the  Xlltli  Corps  had  a skirmish  with  the  foe  and  captured  one 
hundred  and  ten  prisoners.  All  of  Slocum’s  men  were  here,  as 
ever  elsewhere,  ready  for  more  active  work.  They  were  now  in 
the  vicinity  of  Williamsport,  Maryland,  and  of  the  enemy  who 
desired  to  cross  the  Potomac  River  at  this  point. 

Meade  now  called  his  corps  commanders  to  a council,  which 
he  opened  with  the  statement  that  he  had  no  definite  knowledge 
of  the  position  of  the  enemy;  and  then  he  asked  his  generals, 
“Shall  we,  without  further  knowledge  of  the  position  of  the 
enemy,  make  an  attack?”  To  this  question  Generals  Howard, 
Pleasonton,  and  Wadsworth  answered  in  the  affirmative;  and 
Generals  Sedgwick,  Slocum,  Sykes,  French  and  Hays  answered 
in  the  negative,  they  desiring  further  information.  Meade  then 
made  general  remarks  about  the  necessity  of  doing  something, 
and  all  seconded  such  effort.  A reconnoissance  in  force  was 
ordered  for  7 o’clock  the  next  morning,  July  14th,  all  to  be  in 
readiness  for  a general  engagement  with  the  enemy.  Reeonnois- 
sanees  were  made  in  the  meantime  and  the  enemy’s  hastily 
formed  intrencliments  were  examined  in  outline. 

General  Slocum’s  1st  Division  of  the  Xllth  Corps  advanced 
at  an  early  hour  next  morning  to  open  the  battle.  Meeting  no 
opposition,  his  men  moved  into  the  enemy’s  position  of  the  even- 
ing before,  finding  only  the  enemy’s  trail  leading  to  the  Po- 
tomac River,  across  which  he  had  escaped  into  Virginia. 

The  Xllth  Corps  was  reinforced  July  14th  by  the  142nd 
New  York  Regiment,  and  the  177tli  Pennsylvania,  volunteers. 
The  next  day  all  of  Slocum’s  men  marched  to  Sandy  Hook  near 
Harper’s  Ferry,  with  orders  for  clothing  and  other  supplies. 
This  necessary  work  required  three  days. 

Slocum  marched  his  command  July  19th  across  the  Potomac 
by  pontoon  bridge  at  Harper’s  Ferry,  and  through  Loudoun 
Valley  to  the  vicinity  of  Hillsborough,  where  it  encamped  for 
the  night.  His  Xllth  Corps  was  attacked  this  day  by  a detach- 
ment of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  which  escaped  without  doing  or  re- 
ceiving much  harm.  The  Ilnd  Corps,  however,  being  somewhat 
separated  from  Slocum  at  this  time,  lost  some  men  as  prisoners 
with  the  enemy. 


120 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


1 he  march  was  resumed  to  Snickersville,  and  Slocum  there 
guarded  Snicker  's  Gap  through  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  until 
the  23rd,  when  he  marched  to  Ashby  !s  Gap  to  remain  over  night ; 
but  at  four  o 'clock  in  the  afternoon  order  came  to  move  forward 
to  Markham’s  Station,  near  Manassas  Gap,  where  they  arrived 
late  at  night.  At  three  in  the  morning  the  command  moved 
through  Markham  to  Linden.  At  midday  Slocum  was  directed 
to  return  through  Markham,  and  to  encamp  at  Piedmont.  This 
countermarch  was  due  to  the  activity  of  the  enemy  to  gain  ad- 
vantage of  the  closely  following  pursuers.  Slocum’s  command 
was  subjected  to  great  fatigue  by  the  long  and  late  marches  with 
condition  of  constant  preparedness  for  action  against  the  enemy. 
Straggling  or  disorder  of  any  kind  was  not  permissible  at  any 
time,  however,  and  what  little  there  was  occasionally,  received 
severe  punishment  if  done  when  the  enemy  was  near.  Complaint 
was  made  at  this  time  to  General  Geary  of  Slocum’s  Ilnd  divi- 
sion, that  two  of  his  men  had  entered  a lone  woman  ’s  house  and 
carried  away  bedding,  wearing  apparel,  and  other  articles  not 
allowable  in  the  regulations  for  foraging.  Reparation  was  made 
as  far  as  possible,  and  the  thieves  were  entered  upon  the  roster 
as  dismissed  iu  disgrace ; and  they  were  drummed  out  of  camp 
by  their  former  comrades  with  the  rogues’  march. 56 

General  Slocum’s  march  July  25th  led  through  Rectortown 
and  White  Plains  to  Thoroughfare  Gap,  and  the  next  day 
through  Greenwich  and  Catlett’s  Station  to  Waiuenton  Junc- 
tion. 

The  march  was  continued  July  31st  to  Kelly’s  Ford  of  the 
Rappahannock  River,  where  General  Slocum  positioned  the  most 
part  of  his  Xllth  Corps  out  of  sight  of  the  enemy,  and  sent  the 
Illrd  Brigade  of  his  Ilnd  Division  of  this  corps  to  Ellis  Ford 
below  to  take  similar  position.  Discovering  a detachment  of 
North  Caroliua  Cavalry  across  the  river  at  Kelly’s  Ford,  Slocum 
sent  the  66th  Ohio  Regiment  of  Infantry  across  in  boats  and  the 
enemy  was  scattered.  He  then  protected  the  Union  engineers 
while  they  built  a bridge  at  this  Ford. 

Another  order  from  the  general  commanding  directed  Slo- 
cum to  hold  the  Rappahannock  against  the  enemy  from  Wheat- 
ley’s Ford  to  Ellis’  Ford  with  his  Xllth  Corps  and  with  the 
Ilnd  Corps  which  was  yet  under  his  command. 


1863 


A DEPLETED  COMMAND 


121 


In  the  official  account  of  the  Organization  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  July  31,  1863,  General  Slocum’s  Xllth  Corps  is 
recorded  as  follows : 

Major-General  Henry  W.  Slocum’s  Headquarters,  with  escort  of  the 
10th  Maine  Regiment  (four  companies),  Captain  John  D.  Beardsley. 

Hirst  Division,  Brigadier-General  Alpheus  S.  Williams;  Hirst  Brigade, 
Brigadier-General  Joseph  H.  Knipe,  with  the  following  Regiments:  5th 
Connecticut,  Colonel  Warren  W.  Packer;  20th  Connecticut,  Colonel  Samuel 
Ross;  3rd  Maryland,  Colonel  Joseph  M.  Sudsburg;  123rd  New  York,  Colo- 
nel Archibald  L.  McDougall;  145th  New  York,  Colonel  Edward  L.  Price; 
and  the  46  th  Pennsylvania,  Colonel  James  L.  Self  ridge.  Brigadier-General 
IJ.  H.  Lockwood’s  brigade  joined  this  Division  July  2nd,  and  was  assigned 
as  the  Second  Brigade.  On  July  19th  General  Lockwood,  with  the  Mary- 
land regiments  of  his  brigade,  was  transferred  to  Harper’s  Herry.  Third 
Brigade,  Brigadier-General  Thomas  H.  Ruger,  with  the  following  regiments: 
27th  Indiana,  Colonel  Silas  Colgrove ; 2nd  Massachusetts,  Colonel  William 
Cogswell;  13th  New  Jersey,  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Grimes;  107th  New 
York,  Colonel  Nirom  M.  Crane;  150th  New  York,  Colonel  John  II.  Ketcham; 
and  the  3rd  Wisconsin,  Colonel  William  Hawley. 

Second  Division,  Brigadier-General  John  W.  Geary;  Hirst  Brigade, 
Colonel  Charles  Candy,  with  the  following  regiments:  5th  Ohio,  Major 
Henry  E.  Symmes;  7th  Ohio,  Colonel  William  R.  Creighton;  29th 
Ohio,  Colonel  William  T.  Hitch;  66th  Ohio,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Eugene  Powell;  28th  Pennsylvania,  Captain  John  Elynn;  and 
the  147th  Pennsylvania,  Major  John  Craig.  Second  Brigade,  Colonel 
George  A.  Cobham,  Jr.;  with  the  following  regiments:  29th  Pennsylvania, 
Colonel  William  Richards,  Jr.;  109th  Pennsylvania,  Major  John  A.  Boyle; 
and  the  111th  Pennsylvania,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thomas  M.  Walker.  Third 
Brigade,  Brigadier-General  George  S.  Greene,  with  the  following  regiments: 
60th  New  York,  Colonel  Abel  Godard;  78th  New  York,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Herbert  von  Hammerstein;  102nd  New  York,  Major  Gilbert  M.  Elliott; 
137th  New  York,  Colonel  David  Ireland,  and  the  149th  New  York,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Robert  S.  Yan  Voorhes. 

Artillery  Brigade,  Captain  John  D.  Woodbury;  with  the  Hirst  New 
York  Light,  Battery  M,  Lieutenant  Charles  E.  Winegar;  Pennsylvania 
Light,  Battery  E,  Captain  Charles  A.  Atwell;  Eourth  United  States,  Bat- 
tery H,  Lieutenant  Edward  D.  Muhlenberg;  and  the  Eiftli  United  States, 
Battery  K,  Lieutenant  David  II.  Kinzie. 

This  report  was  abstracted  as  a tri-monthly  return  as  follows:  Present 
for  duty  July  31st,  officers,  445;  enlisted  men,  7,328;  aggregate  present, 
8,950;  infantry  officers,  412;  enlisted  men,  6,925;  artillery  officers,  12; 
enlisted  men,  370  and  20  pieces  of  artillery. 

These  reports  show  the  sad  depletion  of  General  Slocum’s 
command  by  battle,  expiration  of  term  of  enlistment,  and  hv 
detachment  for  special  service,  the  latter  being  a great  compli- 


122 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


merit  to  liis  discipline.  The  general  reported  the  command  in 
good  condition  excepting  shortage  of  artillery  horses  notwith- 
standing great  effort  to  supply  the  need. 

The  llnd  Corps,  under  Slocum  during  Lee’s  retreat  from 
Gettysburg,  was  yet  with  (near)  the  Xllth  Corps  at  Kelly's 
Ford  with  an  effective  force  of  8,263  including  officers. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

The  Rappahannock.  New  York  Drapt  Riots 

Two  Confederate  deserters  were  brought  before  General 
Slocum’s  Assistant  Adjutant-General  August  2nd,  they  having 
been  sent  by  Slocum's  General  Geary  stationed  at  Ellis’  Ford. 
They  reported  two  regiments  of  Confederate  cavalry  and  four 
cannon  at  Ely’s  Ford  six  miles  down  the  Rappahannock  from 
Ellis’  Ford. 

On  August  3rd  Meade  reported  to  Slocum,  and  other  corps 
commanders,  that  the  enemy  was  along  Mountain  Run,  with 
Lee’s  headquarters  at  Stevensburg,  a few  miles  from  Culpeper. 
The  same  day  dispatches  were  sent  to  the  same  commanders 
that  the  enemy  was  moving  southward  toward  Orange  Court 
House,  also  stating  that  the  bridge  held  by  Slocum  at  Kelly’s 
Ford  might  be  needed  at  any  moment  to  carry  across  Slocum’s 
command,  the  Xllth  and  llnd  Corps,  to  pursue  the  enemy ; and 
that  provision  should  be  made  to  protect  the  bridge  after  its 
present  use. 

General  Slocum  crossed  the  Rappahannock  the  3rd  and  4th 
of  August ; and  his  orders  became  strict  that  no  one  should  be 
permitted  to  pass  through  his  lines  without  his  written  permis- 
sion. This  order  caused  some  complaint  from  part  of  Pleason- 
ton’s  free-riding  cavalry. 

General  James  B.  Gordon’s  division,  recently  under  General 
Slocum,  but  now  in  the  Xlth  Corps,  was  detached  August  5th 
and  sent  to  Morris  Island,  South  Carolina,  by  way  of  Alex- 
andria, and  an  ocean  transport.  There  had  been  not  a little 
dissatisfaction  among  the  subordinate  officers  of  the  Xlth  Corps 
since  the  routing  it  recerced  from  the  enemy  at  Chancellorsville. 
and  particularly  after  its  first  day’s  sad  experience  at  Gettys- 


1863 


REVIEWING  DEPLETED  FORCES 


123 


burg,  both  of  which  reverses  had  given  the  corps  a bad  reputa- 
tion, probably  unjustly  as  the  reflection  was  mainly  on  the  large 
number  of  Germans  in  the  corps,  who  were  brave  men.  A few  days 
before  this  date,  August  5tli,  it  seemed  probable  that  the  three 
divisions  of  the  Xlth  would  be  divided  among  the  other  corps, 
Gordon,  and  a goodly  part  of  the  other  disaffected  troops,  de- 
siring to  go  with  Slocum’s  corps.  General  Oliver  0.  Howard, 
commander  of  the  Xlth  Corps,  was  favorable  to  any  disposition 
of  his  men  that  the  authorities  at  Washington  thought  best.  This 
kindly  disposition  of  Howard  won  for  him  friends,  and  the 
corps  name  with  its  commander  was  retained,  and  its  quota  was 
soon  filled  with  other  troops  for  service  in  Tennessee. 

General  Slocum’s  Xllth  Corps  had  present,  August  8th, 
on  special  duty,  31  officers,  and  787  enlisted  men.  The  part 
within  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  numbered  95  officers  and  1,102 
enlisted  men.  Temporarily  out  side  of  this  army,  54  officers  and 
286  men  on  duty;  with  leave  of  absence  24  officers  and  332  men. 
The  sick  and  those  with  wounds  at  this  time  numbered  118 
officers  and  3,450  men.  There  were  also,  absent  without  leave 
4 officers  and  214  men.  Of  officers  absent  without  leave,  other 
corps  records  showed  at  this  time  16,  18,  20,  25,  27  and  33  of 
officers,  respectively;  and  of  enlisted  men  absent  without  leave, 
471,  306,  604,  629,  483  and  402. ~'3  These  figures  speak  well  for 
Slocum’s  hold  upon  his  men,  notwithstanding  his  most  strict 
discipline. 

The  Army  Union  Signal  Station  reported  August  10th, 
that  the  enemy’s  camp  smoke  was  plainly  visible,  and  it  extended 
from  the  vicinity  of  Raccoon  Ford  of  the  Rapidan  River  due 
south  from  Watery  Mountain,  the  principal  number  being  east 
of  Clark’s,  and  Pony  Mountain,  south  of  Stevensburg  and  be- 
tween Culpeper  and  Raccoon  Ford. 

The  Abstract  from  the  Tri-monthly  return  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  for  August,  showed  Slocum’s  Xllth  Corps  to  num- 
ber, as  present  for  duty,  404  officers,  and  7,125  enlisted  men, 
the  aggregate  of  those  present  being  8,887.  Of  infantry  present 
equipped  for  duty  there  were  369  officers  and  6,735  enlisted 
men;  artillery,  11  officers  and  361  men,  with  20  cannon.  Ag- 
gregate present  and  absent,  14,477. 

The  enemy  captured  a Union  wagon  train  near  Annondale. 


124 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


Virginia,  August  lltli,  and  he  was  otlierways  seeking  in  every 
direction  to  harass  the  Union  forces,  particularly  those  nearest 
Washington,  hoping  thereby  to  call  the  Union  troops  northward. 

At  this  time  there  came  indications  of  a change  in  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  and  in  the  Confederate  Army  of  Virginia  as 
well,  on  account  of  reverses  on  each  side  in  the  Department  of 
the  Tennessee,  and  threatened  draft  riots  in  New  York  City. 
General  Meade  was  called  to  Washington  to  aid  in  the  considera- 
tion of  these  questions  and,  before  starting,  he  called  General 
Slocum  to  remain  at  the  headquai’ters  of  the  army  during  his  ab- 
sence. Slocum  placed  General  A.  S.  Williams,  commander  of  the 
1st  Division  of  the  Xllth  Corps,  in  charge  of  his  command  and, 
August  13th,  the  day  of  Meade’s  call,  Slocum  took  charge  of  the 
Army  Headquarters,  the  exact  situation  of  which  it  was  not 
permissible  to  mention  in  writing  when  the  army  was  in  the  field. 

The  next  day  there  were  Union  scouting  expeditions  among 
the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  west  of  Bull  Run,  Virginia,  and  to 
Winchester  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  The  enemy’s  Vine  Tree 
Signal  Station  was  captured  this  day.  At  seven  p.  m.  a division 
of  the  Vth  Corps,  and  the  Vermont  Brigade  of  the  Vlth  Corps, 
were  ordered  to  Alexandria  by  railway  from  Warrenton  Junc- 
tion. 

General  Pleasonton  of  the  Cavalry  Corps  reported  August 
14th  regarding  certain  reported  movements  of  the  enemy,  and 
asked  for  important  changes  of  position  of  the  Union  Cavalry, 
and  of  other  corps.  Slocum,  as  temporary  commander  of  the 
Army,  would  not  sanction  the  proposed  changes  of  the  several 
corps,  and  of  the  cavalry  only  in  part,  with  statement  that  readi- 
ness to  meet  emergency  should  constantly  be  maintained.  Gen- 
eral Humphreys,  Chief  of  Staff,  was  directed  to  so  report  to 
Pleasonton. 

The  enemy  became  even  more  active  in  his  expeditions ; and 
more  troops  were  dispatched  to  Alexandria,  a part  of  the  com- 
mand of  General  Ruger  of  Slocum’s  corps  being  among  the 
number.  Then  followed  a Union  scouting  party  from  Center- 
ville to  Aldie,  Virginia,  continuing  until  the  19th  of  August. 

General  Meade  returned  from  Washington  August  15th,  and 
General  Slocum  then  returned  to  his  headquarters  of  the  Xllth 
Corps. 


1863 


TEE  NEW  YORK  DRAFT  RIOTS 


125 


It  had  been  found"  necessary  to  fill  the  quota  of  soldiers  re- 
quired from  New  York  City  by  draft.  The  work  of  conscription 
was  interfered  with,  and  soon  stopped,  by  riotous  opposition,  a 
mob  holding  control  of  the  city  several  days  late  in  July.  It 
was  decided  bjr  the  Department  of  War  to  send  troops  to  that 
city  from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  to  protect  the  officers  while 
completing  the  draft.  August  16th  about  10,000  troops,  in- 
cluding those  of  Slocum’s  command  under  his  General  Thomas 
H.  Euger  then  at  Alexandria,  went  aboard  of  ocean  transports 
for  New  York  City.  General  Slocum’s  troops  for  this  important 
expedition  were  composed  of  the  following  regiments : The  14th 
and  27th  Indiana;  2nd  Massachusetts;  5th  Michigan;  the  4th, 
5th,  7th,  29th,  66th,  and  126  Ohio;  and  the  3rd  Wisconsin. 
General  Meade  wrote  to  IT.  W.  ITalleck,  General-in-Chief,  Wash- 
ington, that  he  had  sent  his  best  troops,  and  some  of  his  best 
officers. 

General  Euger  reported  to  Brigadier-General  Edward  E.  S. 
Canby,  at  the  United  States  Military  Station  on  Governor’s  Is- 
land, New  York  Harbor,  and  he  was  assigned  to  the  command 
of  Canby ’s  Ilnd  Brigade  composed  mostly  of  Slocum’s  men. 
General  Canby  issued  a circular  from  his  headquarters  of  United 
States  troops  in  New  York  City  and  Harbor,  August  17th,  con- 
taining excellently  worded  instructions  to  officers  and  their 
troops,  and  as  notification  to  the  citizens  also,  well  calculated  to 
protect  all  orderly  and  well-meaning  citizens  and  soldiers  alike. 
The  first  paragraph  of  this  circular  reads,  that:  “The  duties  of 
these  troops  are  limited  to  the  defense  of  the  forts  and  the  pro- 
tection of  public  property,  and  of  the  officers  of  the  General 
Government  in  the  performance  of  their  legal  duties.  The  duty 
of  maintaining  order,  and  protecting  the  properties  and  rights 
of  private  individuals,  devolves  upon  the  municipal  and  State 
authorities,  but  the  troops  of  the  United  States  will  be  held  in 
readiness  to  render  any  assistance  that  may  be  called  for  by 
proper  authority,  or  be  rendered  necessary  by  the  inability  of 
the  civil  authorities  to  accomplish  these  ends.” 

The  presence  of  these  troops  had  the  desired  effect.  The 
conscription  proceeded  along  the  Hudson  Eiver  as  well,  part  of 
Slocum’s  men  attending  the  draftings  at  Kingston,  and  else- 
where; and  good  order  was  maintained  without  bloodshed.  The 


126 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


troops  enjoyed  the  pleasant  excursion,  and  were  returned  to  their 
corps  at  Kelly’s  Ford  of  the  Rappahannock  the  evening  of 
September  12th. 

Major-General  G.  K.  Warren  succeeded  Brigadier-General 
William  Hays  August  16tli  in  command  of  the  Ilnd  Corps.  The 
20th  of  August,  Warren  reported  to  General  Pleasonton  of  the 
cavalry,  that  the  enemy  was  in  large  force  opposite  the  United 
States  Ford  of  the  Rappahannock,  and  that  is  was  believed 
that  ‘our  army’  was  retiring  on  Centerville  or  Washington— 
this  rumor  arising  from  the  sending  of  part  of  Slocum’s  troops, 
with  a few  others,  to  Alexandria  for  New  York  City.  This  re- 
port was  sent  to  Meade’s  headquarters,  and  thence  to  General 
Slocum. 

During  the  long  continued,  monotonous,  and  tiresome  picket 
line  duty,  many  enlisted  men  became  tired  of  army  life,  and  an 
occasional  desertion  was  reported.  Two  deserters  from  Slocum’s 
Ilnd  Division  were  captured  and,  after  due  military  trial,  they 
were  convicted  of  the  crime,  and  sentenced  to  death  from  the 
guns  of  their  comrades.  Unfortunately  the  aim  of  the  first 
firing  squad  was  not  direct  and  steady,  and  it  was  necessary  to 
call  forward  the  reserve  squad  to  complete  the  penalty.  August 
18th  Slocum’s  Ilnd  Division  was  again  paraded,  by  its  General 
Geary,  to  attend  like  execution  of  a young  Maryland  deserter ; 
also  on  the  25th  for  like  execution  of  a soldier  of  the  145th  New 
York  Regiment  of  Volunteers  for  the  same  crime. 

The  Confederate  cavalry  continued  very  active,  and  small 
detachments  occasionally  made  long  detours.  Unfortunately  the 
Union  picket  lines  occasionally  showed  gaps  of  as  many  as  four 
miles,  from  the  commanding  general  withdrawing  troops,  which 
permitted  the  watchful  enemy  to  pass  through  unmolested ; and 
much  work  was  required  thereby  of  the  Union  cavalry  to  prevent 
the  marauders  doing  great  harm.  August  22nd  there  was  a 
skirmish  with  such  marauders  at  Stafford  Court  House,  and  the 
next  day  another  at  Coyle’s  Tavern  near  Fairfax  Court  House; 
also  another  the  next  day  at  ITartwood  Church  toward  Kelly’s 
Ford. 


1863  GETTYSBURG  CAMPAIGN  AND  BATTLE 


127 


CHAPTER  XXII 

Gettysburg  Reports.  Letters.  Criticisms 

The  official  reports  of  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg  were  variable. 
The  report  of  General  Slocum  regarding  the  battle,  and  of  his 
part  in  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  is  placed  in  this  connection  as 
most  likely  to  interest  the  general  reader.  It  is  like  all  of  his 
expressions,  very  modest.  There  is  nothing  therein  of  the  carp- 
ing or  faultfinding  spirit ; nothing  reflecting  seriously  on  his 
commanding  general — there  were  numerous  others  to  do  this — 
and  nothing  but  praise  for  the  officers  and  men  of  his  command, 
for  all  had  been  apt  pupils  of  his  discipline  and  requirements. 
He  did  not  even  offer  any  criticism  of  Meade’s  dilatory  march 
after  the  retreating  enemy — obeying  his  orders,  as  was  his  duty 
to  do,  even  when  he  thought  that  something  different  would  be 
better.  He  was  a deep  and,  so  far  as  possible,  a practical  sym- 
pathizer with  the  soldiers  of  his  command.  His  report  refers  to 
their  fatiguing  duties,  fulfilled  uncomplainingly,  and  it  refers 
more  regretfully  to  their  short  rations,  namely : 

Report  of  Ma.j.  Gen.  Henry  W.  Slocum,  U.  S.  Army,  com- 
manding Twelfth  Army  Corps. 

Hdqrs.  Twelfth  Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
August  23,  1863. 

General:  I have  the  honor  of  submitting  the  following  report  of  the 
operations  of  the  Twelfth  Corps,  and  such  other  troops  as  were  placed  un- 
der my  command,  between  June  28  and  July  26: 

The  Twelfth  Corps  was  at  Knoxville,  Md.,  on  the  morning  of  June  28, 
from  which  place  it  marched  at  6 A.  M.,  and  arrived  near  Frederick  City 
at  2 P.  M.  of  the  same  day. 

The  march  was  resumed  at  7 a.  m.  on  the  following  day,  and  although 
nearly  the  entire  army  was  obliged  to  move  through  the  city  in  its  march 
northward,  and  great  delay  was  necessarily  caused  by  the  obstruction  of 
the  roads  by  baggage-wagons,  &e.,  still  the  corps  marched  23  miles,  per- 
forming most  of  it  during  a heavy  rain-storm. 

On  the  30th  the  march  was  resumed  at  5 A.  M.,  and  the  corps  encamped 
for  the  night  about  1 mile  beyond  Littlestown,  Pa.,  on  the  road  leading 
from  that  place  to  Hanover. 

On  the  morning  of  July  1,  the  corps  was  moved  to  Two  Taverns,  and 
remained  at  that  place  until  information  was  received  that  the  First  and 
Eleventh  Corps  were  engaged  at  Gettysburg,  when  the  march  was  at  once 
resumed,  and,  agreeably  to  suggestion  from  General  Howard,  the  First 
Division  was  put  in  position  on  the  right  of  our  line,  near  Rock  Creek.  The 


128 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


Second  Division  was  moved  forward  as  rapidly  as  possible,  and  placed, 
pursuant  to  orders  from  General  Hancock,  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  line. 

The  corps  remained  in  this  position  until  the  following  morning,  when, 
by  direction  of  the  commanding  general  [George  G.  Meade],  the  Second 
Division  was  moved  to  the  right  of  our  center,  and  placed  in  the  woods  east 
of  the  turnpike,  between  Rock  Creek  and  the  crest  of  the  hill  held  by  our 
troops  under  Brigadier-General  Wadsworth. 

The  Fifth  Corps  [also  under  command  of  General  Slocum]  arrived  at 
5 A.  M.  on  July  2,  and,  by  direction  of  the  commanding  general,  was  placed 
in  line  on  the  right  of  the  Twelfth  Corps. 

At  about  8 A.  M.  this  corjis  (the  Fifth)  and  the  First  Division  of  the 
Twelfth  Corps  were  moved  to  the  left  and  across  Rock  Creek,  the  First 
Division  taking  position  on  the  right  of  the  Second,  with  its  right  resting 
on  the  creek.  (See  map  annexed). 

As  soon  as  the  corps  was  established  on  its  new  line,  a strong  force 
was  detailed  for  the  construction  of  breastworks  and  abatis,  which  subse- 
quently proved  of  great  value,  as  they  enabled  us  at  a critical  moment  to 
detach  portions  of  the  command  to  other  points  of  the  line.  The  Fifth 
Corps  was  massed  between  the  exreme  right  and  left  of  the  line  occupied 
by  the  army,  and  held  in  readiness  to  move  to  the  support  of  any  part  of 
the  line.  About  half  an  hour  before  the  attack  on  our  left,  this  corps  (the 
Fifth)  was  moved  by  order  of  the  commanding  general  to  the  support  of 
that  part  of  the  line.  This  attack  was  made  by  the  enemy  in  strong  force, 
and  with  great  spirit  and  determination.  Had  it  been  successful,  the  result 
would  have  been  terribly  disastrous  to  our  army  and  to  the  country.  The 
arrival  of  the  Fifth  Corps  at  the  point  of  attack  at  so  critical  a moment 
afforded  it  an  opportunity  of  doing  service  for  the  country  the  value  of 
which  can  never  be  overestimated.  Of  the  manner  in  which  this  opportunity 
was  improved,  I need  not  speak.  The  long  list  of  its  killed  and  wounded 
attests  more  clearly  than  language  can  the  valor  of  its  officers  and  men. 

As  soon  as  the  attack  on  our  left  was  commenced,  the  First  Division 
and  two  brigades  of  the  Second  Division,  Twelfth  Corps,  were  ordered  to 
that  part  of  the  line.  The  First  Division  moved  at  once,  and  arrived  in 
time  to  assist  in  repelling  the  assault.  The  two  brigades  of  the  Second 
Division  under  Brigadier-General  Geary,  by  some  unfortunate  and  unaccount- 
able mistake,  did  not  follow  the  First  Division,  but  took  the  road  leading 
to  Two  Taverns,  crossing  Rock  Creek.  Immediately  after  the  First  Division 
and  the  twro  brigades  of  the  Second  Division  had  moved  from  their  intrench- 
ments,  the  enemy  attacked  the  remaining  brigade  of  the  corps  left  to  hold 
the  line.  This  brigade  was  under  command  of  Brigadier-General  Greene, 
and  the  attack  commenced  before  he  had  succeeded  in  extending  his  com- 
mand so  as  to  occupy  the  part  of  the  line  .previously  occupied  by  the  troops 
sent  to  the  support  of  our  left.  Although  General  Greene  handled  his 
command  with  great  skill,  and  although  his  men  fought  with  gallantry 
never  surpassed  by  any  troops  under  my  command,  the  enemy  succeeded  in 
gaining  possession  of  a portion  of  our  intrenchments. 


1863 


REPORT  OF  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG 


129 


After  a severe  engagement-  of  nearly  three  hours  duration,  General 
Greene  remained  in  possession  of  the  left  of  our  line  of  works,  while  the 
right,  which  had  previously  been  held  by  the  First  Division,  was  in  posses- 
sion of  the  enemy.  During  this  engagement,  General  Greene  was  re-en- 
forced by  three  regiments  from  the  First  Corps,  and  three  from  the 
Eleventh  Corps,  all  of  which  did  good  service.  Immediately  after  the  re- 
pulse of  the  enemy  on  the  left,  the  First  Division  was  ordered  to  return  to 
its  position  on  the  right,  and  General  Geary,  with  the  two  other  brigades  of 
the  Second  Division,  was  ordered  back  to  his  original  position.  It  was 
nearly  midnight  before  this  movement  was  fully  completed. 

Orders  were  at  once  issued  for  an  attack  at  daybreak,  for  the  purpose 
of  regaining  that  portion  of  the  line  which  had  been  lost.  The  artillery 
of  the  Twelfth  Corps,  consisting  of  Battery  F,  Fourth  U.  S.  Artillery ; 
Battery  K,  Fifth  U.  S.  Artillery;  Battery  M,  First  New  York,  and  Knap’s 
Pennsylvania  battery,  was  placed  in  position  during  the  night  by  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Best,  and  opened  the  battle  at  4 a.  m.  on  the  following  morning, 
and  during  the  entire  engagement  all  these  batteries  rendered  most  valu- 
able aid  to  our  cause. 

The  enemy  had  been  re-enforced  during  the  night,  and  were  fully  pre- 
pared to  resist  our  attack.  The  force  opposed  to  us,  it  is  said,  belonged  to 
the  corps  under  General  Ewell,  formerly  under  General  Jackson,  and  they 
certainly  fought  with  a determination  and  valor  which  has  ever  characterized 
the  troops  of  this  well-known  corps.  We  were  re-enforced  during  the  en- 
gagement by  Shaler’s  brigade,  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  and  by  two  regiments 
from  General  Wadsworth’s  division,  of  the  First  Corps,  and  also  by  Neill’s 
brigade,  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  which  was  moved  across  Bock  Creek,  and 
placed  in  position  to  protect  our  extreme  right.  All  these  troops  did  ex- 
cellent service. 

The  engagement  continued  until  10.30  a.  m.,  and  resulted  in  our  re- 
gaining possession  of  our  entire  line  of  intrenchments  and  driving  the 
enemy  back  of  the  position  originally  held  by  him;  and  in  capture  of  over 
500  prisoners  in  addition  to  the  large  number  of  wounded  left  on  the  field, 
besides  several  thousand  stand  of  arms  and  three  stand  of  colors.  Our  own 
loss  of  killed  and  wounded  was  comparatively  light,  as  most  of  our  troops 
were  protected  by  breastworks. 

The  portion  of  the  field  occupied  by  the  enemy  presented  abundant  evi- 
dence of  the  bravery  and  determination  with  which  the  conflict  was  waged. 
The  field  of  battle  at  this  point  was  not  as  extended  as  that  on  the  left  of 
our  line,  nor  was  the  force  engaged  as  heavy  as  that  brought  into  action 
on  that  part  of  the  line.  Yet  General  Geary  states  that  over  900  of  the 
enemy’s  dead  were  buried  by  our  own  troops  and  a large  number  left  un- 
buried, marching  orders  having  been  received  before  the  work  was  com- 
pleted. 

Soon  after  the  repulse  of  the  enemy  at  this  point,  he  opened  from  his 
entire  line  the  severest  artillery  fire  that  I have  ever  witnessed.  The  losses 
of  the  Twelfth  Corps  from  this  fire  were  however,  light,  and  when  the 
9 


130 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


fire  ceased,  and  was  followed  by  an  assault  from  his  infantry  on  the  left 
of  the  line,  the  entire  command  was  in  readiness  to  move  to  the  support  of 
our  troops  at  that  point.  The  First  Division  was  moved,  and  reached  the 
scene  of  conflict  in  time  to  have  rendered  assistance  if  required.  They 
were  not,  however,  called  into  action,  the  enemy  being  driven  from  the 
field  by  the  troops  already  in  position. 

On  the  following  morning,  July  4,  I moved  forward  with  one  brigade 
(General  Ruger’s),  and  found  the  enemy  had  retired  from  our  immediate 
front. 

The  next  day  the  Twelfth  Corps  marched  to  Littlestown. 

On  July  7th,  the  march  was  resumed  at  4 A.  M.,  and  although  many  of 
the  men  were  destitute  of  shoes,  and  all  greatly  fatigued  by  the  labor  and 
anxiety  of  a severely  contested  battle,  as  well  as  by  the  heavy  marches  which 
had  preceded  it,  still,  a march  of  29  miles  was  made  this  day. 

On  the  following  day  the  command  passed  through  Frederick,  and 
halted  for  the  night  near  Jefferson. 

On  the  9th  we  crossed  South  Mountain  at  Crampton ’s  Pass,  and  en- 
camped near  Rohrersville. 

On  the  10th  we  marched  to  Bakersville,  and  on  the  11th  to  Fair  Play. 

The  12th  and  13th  were  spent  in  endeavoring  to  ascertain  the  position 
of  the  enemy  in  our  front,  which  we  found  great  difficulty  in  accomplish- 
ing. Marsh  Run  extended  along  the  position  held  by  the  enemy  in  our  front, 
and  at  this  time  it  was  passable  only  at  the  bridges,  the  heavy  rains  having 
raised  the  water  much  beyond  its  usual  depth,  and  caused  it  to  overrun 
the  marsh  land  in  our  front. 

During  the  night  of  the  13th,  the  enemy  recrossed  the  Potomac. 

On  the  15th,  I marched  the  command  to  Sandy  Hook,  near  Harper’s 
Ferry,  with  orders  to  procure  clothing  and  other  supplies  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, and  hold  it  in  readiness  to  cross  the  river. 

Three  days  were  spent  in  procuring  supplies,  and  on  the  19th  the 
corps  crossed  the  river,  and  encamped  for  the  night  near  Hillsborough. 

On  the  following  day  the  command  marched  to  Snic-kersville,  and  re- 
. mained  there,  guarding  the  pass  in  the  Blue  Ridge,  until  the  23d,  when  it 
was  moved  to  Ashby’s  Gap,  at  which  point  it  arrived  at  2 p.  m.,  and  made 
preparations  to  encamp  for  the  night ; but  at  4 P.  M.  I received  orders  to 
move  forward  at  once  to  Markham’s  Station,  near  Manassas  Gap,  and  the 
march  was  immediately  resumed,  the  troops  arriving  near  the  station  late 
at  night. 

At  3 a.  m.  on  the  24th  marched  through  Markham  to  Linden.  At  12  M. 
on  the  same  day  returned,  via  Markham,  and  encamped  at  Piedmont. 

On  the  25th,  marched  to  Thoroughfare  Gap,  and  on  the  26th  to  Warren- 
ton  Junction. 

The  enemy  commenced  the  movement  toward  Pennsylvania  early  in  the 
month  of  June.  My  command  left  its  camp  near  Aquia  Creek  on  the  13th 
of  the  same  month.  From  that  day  until  its  arrival  at  Warrenton  Junction, 
on  July  26,  it  was  constantly  engaged  in  services  of  the  most  fatigueing 


1863  SHORT  RATIONS.  ADMIRABLE  DISCIPLINE  131 

nature.  Marches  of  from  25  to  30  miles  per  day  were  frequently  performed. 
We  were  constantly  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy,  and  even  while  remain- 
ing in  camp  for  a day  or  two,  nothing  like  rest  or  relaxation  from  care  and 
anxiety  was  known. 

The  complete  ration  allowed  the  soldier  was  not  issued  to  him  a single 
day  during  the  entire  campaign.  It  cannot  be  surprising  that,  under  these 
circumstances,  officers  as  well  as  men  were  greatly  exhausted  on  our  ar- 
rival at  Warrenton. 

The  conduct  of  the  entire  command  during  this  campaign  was  such  as 
entitles  it  to  the  gratitude  of  the  country,  and  justifies  me  in  the  indulgence 
of  a deep  and  heartfelt  pride  in  my  connection  with  it.  At  Gettysburg, 
when  we  were  brought  into  conflict  with  the  entire  force  of  the  enemy, 
although  every  one  felt  convinced  that  we  were  greatly  his  inferior  in 
point  of  numbers,  yet  all  seemed  to  realize  the  vast  responsibility  thrown 
upon  our  army  and  the  fearful  consequence  which  must  result  from  our  de- 
feat, and  every  one  was  nerved  to  the  task,  and  entered  upon  the  duties  de- 
volving upon  him  with  a spirit  worthy  of  the  highest  praise.  Their  confidence 
in  the  final  result  of  this  important  battle  was  greatly  increased  by  the 
fact,  which  soon  became  apparent  to  all,  that  in  this  battle,  at  least,  all  our 
forces  were  to  be  used;  that  a large  portion  of  the  army  were  not  to  remain 
idle  while  the  enemy’s  masses  were  being  hurled  against  another  portion. 

My  own  corps  during  this  conflict  was  moved  from  one  point  of  the 
line  to  another,  and  all  of  those  thus  moved  had  the  satisfaction  of  know- 
ing that,  where  the  battle  was  waged  by  the  enemy  with  the  greatest  fury, 
there  our  troops  were  concentrated,  ready  and  eager  to  meet  them. 

My  staff  officers  discharged  their  duties  during  the  campaign  to  my 
entire  satisfaction.  Supplies  were  furnished  by  all  the  different  depart- 
ments as  liberally  and  with  as  little  delay  as  could  have  been  anticipated 
under  the  circumstances. 

I am,  general,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  Slocum, 

Major-General  of  Volunteers,  commanding. 

Brig.  Gen.  S.  Williams, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General,  Army  of  the  Potomac/'7 


General  Meade’s  report  of  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg  was  not 
received  by  Slocum  until  after  his  transfer  to  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland;  and  so  many  of  his  subordinate  officers  were  mak- 
ing so  many  complaints  of  its  errors  of  omission  and  of  commis- 
sion, that  he  felt  compelled  to  write  to  Meade  for  their  correc- 
tion. This  letter  entered  into  the  Official  Records  as  an  Addenda. 
General  Meade  replied  in  an  apparent  spirit  of  justice  in  some 
particulars,  without  committing  himself  to  a full  redress.  Gen- 
eral Slocum’s  letter  reads  as  follows: 


132 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


ADDENDA. 

Iidqrs.  Twelfth  Corps,  Army  of  the  Cumberland, 
Tullahoma,  Term.,  December  30,  1863. 

Maj.  Gen.  George  G.  Meade, 

Commanding  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

General:  I inclose  herewith  the  report  of  General  T.  H.  Huger  of 
operations  of  the  First  Division,  Twelfth  Corps,  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg, 
together  with  the  report  of  his  brigade  and  regimental  commanders.  Gen- 
eral Huger,  with  a large  portion  of  his  division,  was  ordered  to  New  York 
City  soon  after  the  battle  [to  quell  riots  there],  and  immediately  after  his 
return  from  New  York  the  corps  was  ordered  to  this  department.  The 
report  of  General  Williams  and  myself  wrere  delayed  with  the  hope  of  re- 
ceiving General  Huger ’s  report  in  time  to  forward  with  them. 

I deeply  regret  the  necessity  which  compelled  me  to  send  my  report 
and  that  of  General  Williams  unaccompanied  by  any  report  of  the  opera- 
tions of  the  First  Division,  for  although  an  account  of  the  operations  of 
this  division  was  given  in  the  report  of  General  Williams,  who  commanded 
the  corps  during  the  battle,  I think  the  absence  of  Ruger ’s  report  may 
account  for  some  of  the  errors  contained  in  your  report  as  to  the  operations 
of  the  Twelfth  Corps. 

I inclose  a letter  from  General  Williams,  calling  my  attention  to  these 
errors,  to  which  I respectfully  invite  your  attention,  and  if  anything  can 
be  done  at  this  late  day  to  correct  these  errors,  I trust  you  will  do  it.  Your 
report  is  the  official  history  of  that  important  battle,  and  to  this  report 
reference  will  always  be  made  by  our  government,  our  peo- 
ple, and  the  historian,  as  the  most  reliable  and  accurate  account  of  the 
services  performed  by  each  corps,  division  and  brigade  of  your  army.  If 
you  have  inadvertently  given  to  one  division  the  credit  of  having  performed 
some  meritorious  service  which  was  in  reality  performed  by  another  division, 
you  do  an  injustice  to  brave  men  and  defraud  them  of  well-earned  laurels. 
It  is  an  injustice  which  even  time  cannot  correct..  That  errors  of  this  nature 
exist  in  your  official  report  is  an  indisputable  fact. 

You  give  great  credit  to  Lockwood’s  brigade  for  services  on  the  even- 
ing of  July  2,  but  state  that  his  brigade  was  a portion  of  the  First  Corps, 
while  it  never  at  any  time  belonged  to  that  corps,  but  was  a portion  of  the 
Twelfth  Corps,  and  was  accompanied  in  its  operations  on  the  evening  of 
July  2 by  General  Williams  in  person.  A portion  of  this  brigade  (the  One 
hundred  and  fiftieth  New  York)  is  still  in  General  Williams’  division. 

I copy  the  following  statement  from  your  report : 

During  the  heavy  assault  on  our  left,  portions  of  the  Twelfth  Corps 
were  sent  as  re-enforcements.  During  their  absence,  the  line  on  the  ex- 
treme right  was  held  by  a very  much  reduced  force.  This  was  taken  ad- 
vantage of  by  the  enemy,  who,  during  the  absence  of  General  Geary's 
division  of  the  Twelfth  Corps  advanced  and  occupied  part  of  the  line.  On 
the  morning  of  the  3rd,  General  Geary,  having  returned  during  the  night, 
attacked  at  early  dawn  the  enemy,  and  succeeded  in  driving  hi.m  back  and 
reoceupying  his  former  position.  A spirited  contest  was  maintained  all  the 
morning  along  this  part  of  the  line.  General  Geary,  re-enforced  by  Whea- 
ton’s brigade  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  maintained  his  position,  and  inflicted  se- 
vere losses  on  the  enemy. 


1863 


REVIEW  OF  A FAULTY  REFORT 


133 


From  this  statement  it  would  appear  that  Geary ’s  division  marched  to 
the  support  of  your  left;  that  Williams’  division  did  not;  that  his  (Wil- 
liams’) division,  or  a portion  of  it,  was  guarding  the  intrenchments  when 
the  enemy  gained  possession;  that  General  Geary  returned,  and  with  his 
division  drove  the  enemy  back;  that  the  engagement  on  the  following  morn- 
ing was  fought  by  Geary’s  division,  assisted  by  Wheaton’s  brigade.  This 
I know  is  the  inference  drawn  from  your  history  of  those  operations  by 
every  person  unacquainted  with  the  truth.  Yet  the  facts  in  the  case  are 
very  nearly  the  reverse  of  the  above  in  every  particular,  and  directly  in  con- 
tradiction to  the  facts  as  set  forth  in  the  report  of  General  Geary,  as  well 
as  that  of  General  Williams.  Geary ’s  division  did  not  march  even  in  the 
direction  of  your  left.  Two  of  his  brigades,  under  his  immediate  command, 
left  the  intrenchments  under  orders  to  move  to  the  support  of  your  left,  but 
through  some  unfortunate  mistake  he  took  the  road  leading  to  Two  Taverns. 
Williams  ’ entire  division  did  move  to  the  support  of  your  left,  and  it  was 
one  of  his  brigades  (Lockwood’s)  under  his  immediate  command,  which 
you  commend,  but  very  singularly  accredit  to  the  First  Corps. 

Greene’s  brigade,  of  the  Second  Division,  remained  in  the  intrench- 
ments, and  the  failure  of  the  enemy  to  gain  entire  possession  of  our  works 
was  due  entirely  to  the  skill  of  General  Greene  and  the  heroic  valor  of  his 
troops.  His  brigade  suffered  severely,  but  maintained  its  position,  and  held 
the  enemy  in  check  until  the  return  of  Williams  ’ division.  The  ‘ Spirited 
contest  maintained  by  General  Geary,  re-enforced  by  Wheaton ’s  brigade,  ’ 
was  a contest  for  regaining  the  portion  of  our  intrenchments  held  by  the 
enemy,  and  was  conducted  under  the  immediate  command  of  General  Wil- 
liams, and  was  participated  in  by  the  entire  Twelfth  Corps,  re-enforced  not 
by  Wheaton ’s  but  by  Shaler ’s  brigade. 

Although  the  command  of  the  Twelfth  Corps  was  given  temporarily  to 
General  Williams  by  your  order,  and  although  you  directed  him  to  meet  at 
the  council  with  other  corps  commanders,  you  fail  to  mention  his  name  in 
your  entire  report,  and  in  no  place  allude  to  his  having  any  such  command, 
or  to  the  fact  that  more  than  one  corps  was  at  any  time  placed  under  mv 
command,  although  at  no  time  after  you  assumed  command  of  the  army 
until  the  close  of  this  battle  was  I in  command  of  less  than  two  corps.  I 
have  now  in  my  possession  your  written  orders,  dated  July  2,  directing  me 
to  assume  command  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  and,  with  that  corps  and  the  two 
then  under  my  command  (the  Fifth  and  Twelfth),  to  move  forward  and'at 
once  attack  the  enemy. 

I allude  to  this  fact  for  the  purpose  of  refreshing  your  memory  on  a 
subject  which  you  had  apparently  entirely  forgotten  when  you  penned  y'our 
report,  for  you  have  not  failed  to  notice  the  fact  of  General  Schurz  and 
others  having  held,  even  for  a few  hours,  commands  above  that  previously 
held  by  them.  I sincerely  trust  that  you  will  endeavor  to  correct  as  far  as 
possible  the  errors  above  mentioned,  and  that  the  correction  may  be  recorded 
at  the  War  Department. 

I am,  general,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  Slocum,  Major-General  of  Volunteers,  Commanding.58 


134 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


At  a memorial  service  held  under  the  auspices  of  Rankin 
Post,  No.  10,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at  Plymouth  Church, 
Brooklyn,  New  York,  April  29th,  1894,  Major-General  Oliver 
0.  Howard  spoke  of  Major-General  Slocum  in  part  as  follows : 
“General  Slocum’s  Gettysburg  letter  to  General  Meade  in  the 
interest  of  his  [Slocum’s]  corps  commander,  General  A.  S.  Wil- 
liams, a letter  demanding  the  correction  of  Meade’s  first  report, 
is  about  the  best  literary  production  of  the  Avar.  The  whole 
letter  is  the  key  to  General  Slocum’s  character — strong,  clear, 
incisive  and  absolutely  truthful.  That  letter  has  become  the  his- 
tory of  Gettysburg  from  Culp’s  Hill  to  McAllister’s  Hill.  To 
appreciate  it  fully  one  must  knoAV  that  rocky,  rough,  woody  re- 
gion which  will  e\rer  be  a rival  of  the  jagged  Round  Tops  and 
the  death-dealing  Devil’s  Den.  But  for  Slocum  the  Avaters  of 
the  Rebellion  would  have  passed  around  the  heights,  and  the 
‘high-water  mark’  would  not  have  been  found  on  that  Ceme- 
tery crest.” 

Yet  later  General  Slocum  Avrote  to  his  confidential  corre- 
spondent at  Syracuse,  NeAv  York,  Judge  LeRoy  H.  Morgan,  more 
sharply  criticising  Meade’s  continued  shortcomings,  and  gAing 
some  true  sidelights  on  several  events  of  general  historical  inter- 
est. Just  before  this  last  letter  there  were  several  publications 
that  appeared  to  emanate  from  Meade ; and  there  were  yet  other 
intimations  that  Slocum  construed  as  not  justifiable  and  should 
not  enter,  or  remain  in  history  without  being  contrcwerted.  This 
letter  reads  as  follows : 

Headquarters  Twelfth  Corps,  Army  of  the  Cumberland, 
Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  January  2,  1864. 

My  Dear  Sir: 

I presume  you  have  read  Meade’s  Report  of  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg. 
I .can  imagine  the  feeling  its  perusal  has  caused  you.  I have  not  met  a 
sensible  man  who  has  read  it,  either  soldier  or  civilian,  who  has  not  felt 
disappointed  on  reading  it.  It  purports  to  be  the  official  history  of  the 
most  important  contest  of  modern  times — a contest  in  which  our  troops 
fought  with  a valor  and  determination  never  before  exhibited — and  the  only 
evidence  in  the  entire  report  which  tends  to  prove  this  heroism  is  contained 
in  the  closing  sentence,  “our  losses  were  very  severe,  amounting  to  23,186.” 
Tour  disappointment  must  have  been  greater  from  the  fact  that  the  true 
history  of  the  operations  on  the  right  had  already  been  made  known  to  you 
by  me,  and  Meade’s  report  is  a plain  contradiction  of  almost  every  state- 
ment I have  ever  written  to  you.  It  is  in  direct  conflict  with  my  official 


1863 


REVIEW  OF  A FAULTY  REPORT 


135 


report,  and  the  reports  of  all  my  subordinate  commanders.  My  first  im- 
pulse on  reading  his  report  was  to  ask  for  a court  of  inquiry.  I was  prompted 
to  this  course  not  so  much  from  personal  consideration,  as  from  a desire 
to  have  justice  done  to  General  Williams  and  his  division. 

Although  Meade  professed  the  warmest  friendship  for  me,  and  the  ut- 
most confidence  in  me,  not  only  during  the  entire  battle,  but  at  all  times 
subsequent  to  it  while  I remained  in  his  army,  yet  in  his  report  he  utterly 
ignores  me.  That  he  did  repose  this  confidence  in  me,  and  that  he  placed 
the  right  wing  entirely  under  my  control,  I have  abundant  written  evidence 
now  in  my  possession.  In  proof  of  this  I enclose  a copy  of  an  order  sent 
me  during  the  battle,  showing  that  he  had  sent  part  of  Sedgwick’s  corps 
to  me,  and  that  without  visiting  me  or  my  portion  of  the  line,  he  wished  me 
to  place  it  in  a central  position  where  he  could  use  it  as  soon  as  I could 
spare  it.  I also  enclose  a copy  of  an  order  received  at  ten  twenty  a.  m.,  July 
second,  directing  me  to  move  from  the  strong  position  we  then  held,  and 
with  the  Fifth  and  Twelfth  Corps,  then  under  my  command,  and  the  Sixth 
which  was  hourly  expected,  to  attack  the  enemy.  The  latter  order  was  not 
obeyed  because  every  general  officer  consulted  on  the  subject  deemed  it  un- 
wise to  leave  the  almost  impregnable  position  we  then  held. 

I send  you  copies  of  these  orders  to  convince  you  that  although  my 
name  is  not  mentioned  in  the  report,  yet  I really  occupied  the  position  and 
had  the  commands  mentioned  in  my  former  letters.  At  no  time  was  I in 
command  of  less  than  two  corps  during  the  entire  campaign,  and  during  all 
the  battle  the  right  wing  was  entrusted  entirely  to  me — a position  to  which 
my  rank  entitled  me.  Williams  commanded  the  Twelfth  Corps,  and  was  at 
all  times  during  the  battle  treated  as  a corps  commander  by  Meade.  He 
was  invited  by  him  to  the  council  with  other  corps  commanders,  and  yet 
no  mention  is  made  of  this  fact  in  the  report.  Nor  is  Williams’  name  or 
that  of  his  division  to  be  found  in  it. 

I finally  gave  up  the  idea  of  asking  for  a court  of  inquiry,  knowing  that 
the  interest  of  the  service  could  not  be  promoted  by  such  course.  I wrote 
a letter  to  Meade,  however,  asking  him  to  correct  his  report,  a copy  of 
which  I enclose. 

There  is  much  secret  history  connected  with  the  Gettysburg  campaign 
which  will  some  day  be  made  public.  The  proceedings  of  a secret  council 
of  the  corps  commanders  held  the  night  before  the  enemy  crossd  the  river 
was  at  once  divulged,  and  the  remarks  of  Meade,  Warren  and  Pleasonton 
published  to  the  world  in  full.  It  was  for  the  interest  of  Meade  that  this 
publication  should  be  made;  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  publicity  was  given 
to  it  with  his  consent,  if  not  through  his  direct  instrumentality.  There  Were 
other  councils,  however,  the  proceedings  of  which  were  not  made  public  and 
which  never  will  be  published  with  the  consent  of  Meade. 

On  the  evening  of  July  second  a council  was  called,  and  each  corps  com- 
mander was  asked  his  opinion  as  to  the  propriety  of  falling  back  toward 
Washington  that  night.  The  majority  opposed  it,  and  after  the  vote  was 
taken  Meade  declared  that  “Gettysburg  was  no  place  to  risk  a battle;  ” and 


136 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


there  is  no  doubt  but  for  the  decision  of  his  corps  commanders,  the  army 
on  the  third  of  July  would  have  been  in  full  retreat.  The  4th  of  July,  1863, 
instead  of  being  a day  of  rejoicing  throughout  the  North,  would  have  been 
the  darkest  day  ever  known  to  our  country.  This  piece  of  history  can  be 
verified  by  the  records  of  that  council  kept  by  Butterfield,  and  cannot  have 
been  forgotten  by  any  officer  present. 

On  the  fourth  of  July  nearly  every  corps  commander  urged  an  imme- 
diate movement,  but  my  corps  was  kept  three  days  in  idleness.  In  the  mean- 
time the  enemy  reached  Hagerstown,  took  up  his  new  line,  and  had  abun- 
dant time  to  fortify.  At  the  council  held  on  the  thirteenth  of  July,  by 
which  ‘ ‘ Meade  was  overruled,  ’ ’ the  following  question  was  proposed  to  each 
officer,  viz.:  “Shall  we,  without  further  knowledge  of  the  position  of  the 
enemy,  make  an  attack?” 

Previous  to  putting  the  question,  Meade  answered  that  he  could  get  no 
knowledge  of  the  position  of  the  enemy.  This  announcement,  together  with 
the  peculiar  phraseology  of  the  question,  indicated  the  decision  the  com- 
manding general  anticipated.  lie  offered  no  remarks  until  a vote  was  taken, 
and  the  question  answered  in  the  negative.  He  then  made  some  general  re- 
marks about  “the  necessity  of  doing  something,”  which  was  approved  by  all. 
Having  ‘ placed  himself  right  on  record  ’ as  the  politicians  would  say,  he 
retired.  This  record  he  at  once  used  to  sustain  himself  at  the  expense  of 
his  brother  officers,  although  the  action  of  these  officers  was  precisely  what 
he  desired  and  anticipated  it  would  be  when  he  framed  the  question. 

You  may  think  this  a hard  charge  to  bring  against  a soldier,  but  I 
believe  I am  fully  justified  in  making  it.  There  are  circumstances  which 
I will  make  known  to  you  when  we  meet  which  will  convince  you  that  I 
have  not  done  him  injustice. 

As  long  as  this  war  continues  I shall  pursue  the  course  I have  thus  far 
followed.  I shall  ask  for  no  court,  enter  into  no  controversy,  write  no 
letters.  But  when  the  danger  has  passed  from  us  many  facts  will  come  to 
light,  giving  to  the  public  a better  knowledge  of  the  real  history  of  this 
war  than  can  be  obtained  through  the  medium  of  such  reports  as  that 
written  by  General  Meade.  Very  respectfully, 


Your  Obedient  Servant, 

H.  W.  Slocum. 


Hon.  L.  H.  Morgan,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 


Ilnd 


Illrd 


Vlth 


Army  Corps  Badges 


3863 


PREPARATIONS  FOR  GREAT  CHANGES 


137 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

The  Rapidan.  Resignation.  To  Tennessee 

General  Slocum  was  called  to  Washington  for  consultation 
with  the  War  Department  August  31st.  A change  was  about  to 
occur  that  would  take  him  to  distant  fields  of  action,  and  his 
absence  from  his  command  was  prolonged  for  a short  visit  to 
his  family.  He  returned  to  the  front  September  13th.  During 
his  absence  the  command  of  the  XHth  Corps  devolved  again 
upon  General  A.  S.  Williams  of  the  1st  Division. 

Some  pickets  of  Slocum’s  find  Division  were  fired  at  by  a 
small  body  of  the  enemy  September  1st  near  Ellis’s  Ford.  Help 
was  rallied,  and  the  enemy  was  driven  away  with  loss  to  him. 
Generally  the  XHth  Corps  had  little  other  than  quiet  picket 
work  during  Slocum’s  absence. 

General  Kilpatrick  crossed  the  Rappahannock  below  Fred- 
ericksburg September  1st ; and  the  13th  General  Pleasonton 
crossed  at  Kelly’s  and  other  fords,  with  most  of  the  Union  cav- 
alry under  Buford,  Kilpatrick,  and  Gregg;  and  they  pressed 
the  Confederate  cavalry,  under  Stuart,  back  to  Brandy  Station 
and  Culpeper  Court  House,  and  thence  across  the  Rapidan. 
Pleasonton ’s  men  captured  three  cannon  and  120  prisoners.  Oth- 
erwise the  loss  on  both  sides  was  small. 

On  September  14th  the  other  corps  commanders  were  noti- 
fied of  the  successes  of  Pleasonton ’s  Cavalry  Corps,  and  they 
were  also  notified  to  be  in  readiness  to  advance  and  hold  the 
position  gained.  The  16tli  Slocum  advanced  his  XHth  Corps 
to  Stevensburg,  and  thence  to  Raccoon  Ford  of  the  Rapidan, 
which  he  carefully  examined,  and  it  was  found  impracticable  as 
a crossing,  the  approaches  being  marshy  and  the  enemy  com- 
manding every  approach  in  force.  He  passed  down  the  river  to 
Morton’s  Ford  where,  he  thought,  a crossing  might  be  forced; 
but  such  crossing  would  result  in  much  loss  of  life.  Following 
the  river,  Slocum  further  reported  that  Stringfellow’s  Ford  of- 
fered the  most  practicable  crossing  of  all  the  fords  examined. 

Contrabands  (negroes  freed  from  slavery  by  the  President’s 
Emancipation  Proclamation)  flocked  around  Slocum,  as  usual, 
and  from  them,  and  from  different  other  sources,  he  learned  that 
the  Confederate  General  Lpngstreet  and  his  corps  were  sent  to 


138 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


Tennessee  September  9th,  indications  of  which  action  of  the 
enemy  had  been  noted  as  important,  and  making  necessary  for 
the  sending  of  Union  reinforcements  to  General  Rosecrans  com- 
manding there. 

The  Signal  Service  of  both  armies  was  now  more  active  in 
the  region  of  the  Rapidan  and  the  heights  nearby,  at  Pony  Moun- 
tain and  Clark’s  Mountain  particularly.  The  movement  of  the 
enemy  was  reported,  which  led  to  a sharp  skirmish  the  19tli  near 
Raccoon  Ford.  An  intercepted  dispatch  of  the  enemy  indicated 
plans  for  an  expedition,  which  caused  General  Meade  to  issue  a 
circular  to  the  Union  corps  commanders  that,  until  further 
orders,  their  troops  should  carry  in  their  knapsacks  five  days’ 
bread  and  small  rations,  including  salt,  in  addition  to  the  sub- 
sistence stores  they  were  required  under  existing  orders  to  carry 
in  their  haversacks. 

While  being  a strict  disciplinarian,  General  Slocum  was 
naturally  kind  and  always  disposed  to  look  favorably  upon 
every  meritorious  explanation  or  excuse  for  laxity  or  short- 
comings. He  was  seldom  disappointed  in  his  estimate  of  men. 
When  not  overburdened  with  cares,  or  fatigue,  he  could  be  ap- 
proached by  any  of  his  soldiers ; and  they  found  iu  him  an  ever 
open  ear,  and  every  practicable  relief.  Such  statements  unso- 
licited, have  been  brought  to  the  writer  by  those  who  had  been 
so  befriended.  The  general,  however,  uniformly  maintained  the 
dignity  of  his  rank  as  he  saw  it,  and  as  he  ever  respected  like 
dignity  and  self  respect  in  others.  The  following  story  shows 
his  treatment  of  a soldier  who  treated  him  indecorously:  “About 
the  middle  of  September  the  battalion  broke  camp  and  moved  to 
the  Rapidan  River,  near  Raccoon  Ford.  While  on  this  march  an 
incident  occurred  which  afforded  much  merriment  for  the  officers 
and  men  attached  to  headquarters.  General  Slocum  and  staff 
had  halted  at  a certain  spot  for  luuch,  when  a lieutenant  of  the 
United  States  Artillery,  slightly  intoxicated,  rode  up  to  General 
Slocum,  dismounted,  threw  his  arms  about  the  general’s  neck 
and  exclaimed,  ‘Oh!  Slocum!  You’re  a hunky  boy!’  Such  a 
breach  of  military  discipline  might  not  have  been  very  remark- 
able in  some  of  the  armies,  but  it  was  an  almost  unheard  of  af- 
fair in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  it 
was  promptly  punished  by  keeping  the  offending  officer  in  arrest 


1863 


TO  BE  TRANSFERRED  TO  TENNESSEE 


139 


until  lie  amply  apologized.  The  Lieutenant  furnished  the  bat- 
talion with  a phrase  which  the  men  delighted  to  repeat,  not  so 
much  for  the  fun  of  the  thing  as  for  the  completeness  with  which 
it  expressed  their  feelings  towards  the  general.”59 

Meade  reported  to  Washington  September  22nd,  the  inter- 
ception of  a Confederate  dispatch  reporting  a battle  in  Tennessee 
between  Confederate  General  Bragg’s  command,  and  General 
Rosecrans’  Union  army,  in  which,  the  dispatch  read,  Bragg  cap- 
tured twenty  cannon,  and  two  thousand  and  five  hundred  pris- 
oners. But  the  authorities  at  Washington  had  already  heard 
of  the  Battle  of  Chiekamauga,  and  they  already  realized  that 
they  had  been  too  slow  in  reinforcing  that  field,  and  in  several 
other  particulars. 

There  being  at  this  time  no  serious  condition  of  affairs  re- 
garding the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  it  was  decided  to  detach  the 
Xlth  and  Xllth  Corps  of  this  Army,  and  to  send  them  to  Ten- 
nessee as  rapidly  as  possible. 

The  War  Department  called  to  Washington  the  head  officers 
of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railway  Company,  and  this  company, 
also  the  Louisville  and  Nashville  Railway  Company,  and  their 
connecting  lines  through  Indianapolis,  gave  up  all  other  busi- 
ness for  the  transporting  of  these  two  army  corps,  their  artillery, 
horses,  ambulances,  and  army  wagons,  to  the  relief  of  General 
Rosecrans.  All  of  these  railways  and  their  equipment  during 
this  work  were  taken  under  military  surveillance  and  dictation. 

AYlien  the  commanding  general  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
was  called  on  to  detach  General  Slocum  and  his  corps  for  this 
journey,  he  replied  by  telegram  to  Halleck  that  they  were  on 
duty  in  front  of  the  enemy  and  could  not  be  withdrawn  and 
gotten  ready  for  the  journey  in  the  time  named.  On  September 
24th,  however,  Meade  notified  Slocum  that  his  corps  would  be 
relieved  by  the  1st  Corps,  and  that  he  should  march  his  com- 
mand to  Brandy  Station  where  trains  would  be  found  in  readi- 
ness for  him. 

By  Special  Orders  of  the  War  Department,  Major-General 
Joseph  Hooker  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Xlth  and 
Xllth  Corps,  September  24tli.  At  ten  p.  m.  of  this  day,  Hooker 
addressed  a letter  to  Slocum  regarding  the  movement  of  his 
command.  This  letter  was  received  by  Slocum  the  next  day  a 


140 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


little  before  noon.  He  made  no  reply  to  Hooker;  but  he  im- 
mediately wrote  and  dispatched  the  following  letter  instead : 

Brandy  Station,  September  25,  1863. 

Ilis  Excellency  Abraham  Lincoln, 

President  of  the  United  States. 

Sir:  I have  just  been  informed  that  I have  been  placed  under  com- 
mand of  Major-General  Joseph  Hooker.  My  opinion  of  General  Hooker 
both  as  an  officer  and  a gentleman  is  too  well  known  to  make  it  necessary 
for  me  to  refer  to  it  in  this  communication.  The  public  service  cannot  be 
promoted  by  placing  under  his  command  an  officer  who  has  so  little  con- 
fidence in  his  ability  as  I have.  Our  relations  are  such  that  it  would  be 
degrading  in  me  to  accept  any  position  under  him.  I have  therefore  to 
respectfully  tender  the  resignation  of  my  commission  as  Major-General  of 
Volunteers.  Very  respectively,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  Slocum, 

Major-General  of  Volunteers. 0,1 

President  Lincoln  would  not  accept  General  Slocum’s  resig- 
nation ; and  they  compromised  the  delicate  situation  so  that  he 
would  be  separated  from  Hooker.  Slocum  was  further  assured 
that  other  arrangements  would  be  made  as  soon  as  practicable 
to  his  entire  satisfaction. 

Slocum  and  his  corps  met  the  appointment  at  Brandy  Sta- 
tion September  25th.  He  here  received  dispatch  from  Meade 
stating  that  cars  could  not  be  there  this  day  as  desired  and, 
inasmuch  as  the  movement  of  his  troops  had  been  seen  by  the 
enemy,  lie  should  that  evening  march  to  Bealeton  Station,  and 
there  secret  his  troops  from  the  observation  of  the  enemy’s 
signal  station  on  Clark’s  Mountain.  This  command  was  reported 
to  the  railway  officials,  accordingly,  that  Slocum  was  at  Bealeton 
Station  with  280  horses,  and  that  ten  cars  would  be  required 
for  baggage.  On  the  twenty-seventh  Slocum  was  requested  by 
the  authority  at  Washington  to  designate  an  officer  to  remain 
there  until  October  5th,  to  take  charge  of  all  officers  and  men 
of  the  Xltli  and  XHth  Corps  returning  from  furloughs,  or  ex- 
changed with  the  enemy,  also  the  recovered  sick,  and  stragglers, 
and  to  go  with  them  to  rejoin  their  commands.  Notice  was, 
thereupon,  inserted  in  the  Washington  daily  newspapers  for 
such  soldiers  to  report  to  the  officer  detailed  by  Slocum. 

The  railway  official  at  Bealeton  reported  to  the  Honorable 
E.  M.  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War  that,  at  9.35  p.  m.  of  the  27th 


1863 


THE  JOURNEY  TO  TENNESSEE 


111 


he  had  on  cars  all  of  General  Slocum’s  men  at  that  place  except- 
ing 3,300.  At  11.35  p.  m.  of  the  same  day  it  was  reported  from 
the  Alexandria  station  that  Slocum’s  artillery  arm  would  march 
to  Washington,  and  there  take  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railway. 

General  Slocum  kept  near  his  men  on  this  long  military  jour- 
ney. He  would  pass  on  ahead  to  be  present  at  each  important  point 
and  to  personally  note  the  condition  of  affair's  generally- on  the 
arrival  of  the  troops.  The  only  conveyances  that  could  be  pro- 
vided for  most  of  the  rank  and  file  by  the  railway  companies, 
consisted  of  the  ordinary  freight  car’s  of  the  box  type,  with 
plain  boards  across  for  seats.  The  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Company 
made  liberal  openings  along  the  sides  for  light  and  open  air. 

At  Benwood,  West  Virginia,  the  troops  made  their  first 
change  of  ears.  They  walked  over  a pontoon  bridge  prepared 
for  them  across  the  Ohio  River  at  this  place.  General  Slocum 
was  there  to  receive  them,  to  see  them  safely  across  and  that 
their  wants  were  fully  met  there,  and  for  further  progress.  He 
was  enthusiastically  received  by  his  men  on  all  such  occasions. 
To  his  general  question,  ‘how  are  you  standing  the  journey?’ 
one  Indianian  replied,  ‘we  would  feel  better  about  passing- 
through  Indiana  if  we  had  some  money.  ’ Upon  further  inquiry 
Slocum  learned  that  the  27th  Indiana  Regiment  had  not  received 
any  money  recently;  and  he  promised  to  hasten  payment.  That 
evening  Colonel  Silas  Colgrove,  of  this  regiment,  was  informed 
that  his  men  would  receive  their  pay  that  night  at  Zanesville, 
Ohio ; and  they  were  kept  awake  most  of  the  night  by  the  pay- 
masters. General  Slocum  also  arranged  for  the  Indiana  men 
to  remain  one  day  at  Indianapolis  to  meet  their  friends  who 
were  informed  of  their  coming.  At  another  station,  Slocum  was 
politely  approached  by  a young  soldier  who  desired  a furlough 
for  one  day  that  he  might  stop  off  at  his  home  town.  A little 
inquiry  elicited  the  fact  that  this  soldier  had  been  constantly  in 
service  more  than  two  years.  Slocum  told  him  that  he  could 
not  give  anyone  a furlough  at  this  time ; and  he  then  proceeded 
to  give  the  young  man  all  the  comfort  he  could,  by  saying  to 
him : “If  I had  served  in  your  regiment  over  two  years  without 
being  home  once,  or  absent  from  duty  a single  day,  and  was 
passing  through  my  own  home  town,  I would  certainly  stop  for 
just  a little  while  on  my  own  responsibility.  And  I will  say  this 


142 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


much,  if  you  conclude  to  do  so,  and  should  get  into  trouble  over 
it,  I will  do  all  I can  to  help  you  out.”61  This  soldier  made  a 
short  visit  to  his  home,  and  reported  for  further  service  in  good 
time. 

As  usual  on  public  occasions,  and  particularly  when  public 
servants  need  food  and  cheer,  numerous  ladies,  both  young  and 
old,  greeted  the  soldiers  at  every  stopping  place,  and  their  pres- 
ence, with  fruit  and  various  other  articles  of  food,  patriotic 
songs,  and  other  words  of  cheer,  greatly  relieved  the  monotony 
and  fatigue  of  the  long  journey.  Ohio  and  Indiana  were  loyal 
States,  and  loyal  soldiei’s  directly  from  the  front  in  the  enemy’s 
country  appealed  warmly  to  their  interest  and  sympathy.  At 
Centerville,  Indiana,  nearby  the  Quaker  City  of  Richmond, 
young  ladies  from  the  seminary  gathered  at  the  railway  stations, 
‘sang  many  songs,  and  spoke  many  cheering  words.’  Many 
young  soldiers  exchanged  names  and  addresses  with  young 
women  in  these  States,  and  they  later  received  loyal  literature, 
and  letters,  which  inspired  to  greater  regard  for  their  services 
to  thir  country,  and  to  their  Creator.  Doubtless,  much  of  the 
dreariness  of  camp  and  picket  duties  was  modified  and  attach- 
ments for  life  grew  from  acquaintances  thus  formed.  The  writer 
now  frequently  meets  an  excellent  man  whose  father  was  one 
of  these  soldiers. 

The  cars  of  the  Ohio  Central  Railway  were  found  dark  and 
unventilated;  and  call  at  once  arose  among  the  soldiers  for  the 
axes  of  their  camp  equipment.  With  a few  of  these  necessary 
articles  in  hand,  all  of  the  light  and  air  required  were  soon  ob- 
tained. From  Indianapolis  the  journey  of  most  of  the  men  was 
through  Columbus,  Seymour,  and  Jeffersonville. 

The  last  of  the  large  shipment  of  Slocum’s  men  and  horses, 
was  made  October  2nd,  when  the  first  contingent  was  passing 
through  Nashville,  Tennessee.  The  ammunition  and  small  arms, 
and  the  regiments  of  infantry  which  were  entitled  to  increased 
allowance  for  conscripts,  were  starting  by  trains  from  Alexan- 
dria, October  3rd. 

A Union  army  wagon  train  of  350  was  burned  and  many 
mules  were  killed  about  this  time  by  the  enemy  in  Tennessee, 
which  raised  anew  the  apprehensions  of  the  railway  officials 
and  operatives,  and  even  greater  circumspection  was  exercised 


1863 


SUCCESS  DESPITE  THE  ENEMY 


143 


regarding  the  trains  bearing  these  corps  and  their  equipment. 

Colonel  Innes,  Superintendent  of  Military  Roads  south  of 
Nashville,  telegraphed  October  5th  that  everything  was  unfavor- 
able for  forwarding  troops;  that  the  road  had  been  broken  in 
at  least  two  places  by  the  enemy  south  of  Murfreesborough,  and 
that  10,000  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  were  there  with  artillery.  By 
order  of  General  Slocum,  Innes  was  forwarding  all  troops  to 
Murfreesborough  and  holding  the  artillery  at  Nashville.  A dis- 
patch from  Louisville  October  6tli,  stated  that  all  the  troops  had 
arrived  at  Nashville  excepting  those  with  the  artillery  and  horses, 
which  were  held  subject  to  the  orders  of  Commanding  General 
Slocum  at  Nashville.  A dispatch  from  Indianapolis  the  same  day 
read  that  the  last  shipment  was  sent  from  there  at  9.30  p.  m.,  con- 
sisting of  horses,  baggage  and  caretakers,  closing  with  the  sen- 
tence, ‘the  movements  of  the  Xlth  and  Xllth  Corps  have  been 
finished  in  nine  days.  ’ 

General  Daniel  H.  Rucker,  Quartermaster,  telegraphed  from 
Washington,  October  9th,  that  all  of  the  transportation  of  the 
Xlth  and  Xllth  Corps  had  gone  forward ; that  of  the  Xlth  Corps 
consisting  of  150  four-horse  teams,  156  six-mule  teams,  and  75 
two-horse  ambulances  all  with  horses,  harness,  wagon-masters, 
assistant  wagon-masters,  and  drivers,  and  all  in  good  order.  The 
numbers  of  the  Xlth  Corps  were  about  the  same  as  those  of  the 
Xllth  as  stated  above.  The  first  of  the  last-named  shipment 
was  made  Sunday  evening,  October  4th,  and  the  last  Wednesday 
evening,  October  7th.  Quartermaster-General  Montgomery  C. 
Meigs  telegraphed  from  Louisville  October  17th  that  all  the 
rolling  stock  of  the  railway  from  that  place  to  Stevenson,  Ala- 
bama, was  then  in  use  of  the  War  Department;  that  some  of 
the  animals  had  suffered  from  the  journey,  and  he  had  directed 
that  others  be  substituted  from  the  stock  there ; and  that  rest 
and  food  would  recruit  the  jaded  travelers. 

This  was  considered  a remarkable  record  for  these  railways 
at  that  time  in  their  earlier  history.  The  distance  traveled  was 
about  1,200  miles ; the  number  of  soldiers  carried,  approximately 
24,000,  Avith  Avagons  and  other  equipment  as  before  named.  The 
military  management  held  every  employee  as  well  as  official 
responsible  for  the  full  and  prompt  performance  of  his  duty, 
and  permitted  no  unnecessary  delay. 


144 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

Against  The  Enemy’s  Cavalry  Raids 

The  Battle  of  Cliickamauga  Creek,  Georgia,  was  fought 
September  19tli  and  20th.  The  command  of  the  Union  General 
William  S.  Rosecrans  was  outnumbered  by  the  enemy  and  was 
obliged  to  retreat,  although  his  losses  were  much  less  than  those 
of  the  foe.  Rosecrans  took  refuge  in  Chattanooga,  and  his  able 
supporter,  General  George  IT.  Thomas,  followed  and,  September 
21st,  he  took  up  positions  at  Rossville  and  Dry  Valley  Gap  of 
Mission  Ridge.  The  Confederate  General,  Braxton  Bragg,  leis- 
urely followed  the  Union  army  and,  September  22nd  he  took 
positions  on  Lookout  Mountain  and  Mission  Ridge. 

At  Louisville,  Kentucky,  General  Slocum  assured  himself 
that  his  corps  had  received,  or  would  receive,  all  the  implements 
and  tools  necessary  for  his  troops  in  the  mountainous  regions 
of  their  destination;  also  an  extra  wagon-load  of  such  articles 
for  each  of  his  divisions. 

In  addition  to  reports  from  other  sources,  October  3rd  Gen- 
eral Rosecrans  notified  the  Xltli  and  XHth  Corps  of  the  great 
Confederate  cavalry  raids  being  made  by  Generals  Joseph  Wheel- 
er and  Philip  D.  Roddy  through  the  country  they  were  to  pass, 
and  he  directed  the  XI  1th  Corps  to  stop  on  the  railway,  one  divi- 
sion at  Wartrace,  Tennessee,  southeast  of  Nashville  and,  if  pos- 
sible, another  division  at  Decherd  nearer  the  Alabama  State  line 
‘till  the  raid  blows  over’  as  Union  cavalry  were  in  pursuit  of  the 
foe.  The  arrival  of  Slocum’s  men  was  of  great  service  to  the 
Union  cause,  as  they  acted  an  important  part  in  protecting  the 
towns,  railway,  United  States  property,  and  in  aiding  the  Union 
cavalry  in  dispersing  the  enemy  not  captured. 

The  enemy  captured  and  burned  McMinniville  east  of  War- 
trace  October  4th ; and  he  was  reported  as  advancing  westward 
on  Manchester.  General  R.  S.  Granger  of  Nashville  desired 
information  regarding  the  Union  force  at  Manchester  and, 
October  4th,  asked  General  Hooker,  then  at  Stevenson,  Alabama, 
for  report.  Butterfield,  Chief  of  Hooker ’s  staff  referred  Granger 
to  Slocum.  The  Confederates  were  deflected  from  Manchester. 
General  J.  A.  Garfield,  afterward  President  of  United  States, 
now  Chief  of  Rosecrans ’s  staff,  asked  Hooker  October  4th,  to 


1863 


GREAT  ACTIVITY  OF  THE  ENEMY 


145 


station  sufficient  detachments  of  Slocum’s  men  along  the  railway 
between  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  Bridgeport,  Alabama,  as 
would  secure  the  Union  communications  against  cavalry  raids 
of  the  enemy.  The  next  day  General  Slocum  was  directed  to 
place  a sufficient  force  in  Murfreesborough  for  the  protection 
of  United  States  stores  there.  Much  excitement  prevailed.  Dif- 
ferent commanders  of  subordinate  rank  wanted  to  divide  and 
order  around  Slocum's  troops.  Hooker  was  yet  erratic  and  un- 
stable. He  took  the  Xlth  and  part  of  the  Xllth  Corps  to 
Stevenson,  and  then  sent  many  of  these  troops  back  to  Bridge- 
port. He  was  ordered  by  Rosecrans  to  call  these  troops  hack  to 
Stevenson,  and  to  send  most  of  General  Slocum’s  men  back  to 
Decherd.  The  rapid  movements  of  the  enemy’s  large  cavalry 
forces,  and  the  severity  of  their  dealings  with  towns,  supplies, 
railway  bridges,  and  every  other  thing  likely  to  embarrass  the 
Union  troops,  spread  fear  and  confusion  of  action.  Union  cav- 
alry were  in  pursuit,  however,  and  the  active  enemy  could  not 
long  remain  free  wanderers. 

At  11  a.  m.  October  4th  Slocum  received  notice  that  the 
railway  from  Wartrace  southward  to  Tantalon  was  assigned  to 
his  protection.  The  transportation  and  ambulance  trains  had 
been  temporarily  stopped,  and  all  bridges  and  trestles  were 
guarded  as  well  as  possible  with  the  men  in  hand.  Again,  at 
11.50  p.  m.  Slocum  received  an  order  from  Hooker  to  send  back 
northward  to  Murfreesborough  as  many  troops  as  might  be  re- 
quired to  make  that  city  secure.  This  town  wras  again  threatened 
by  General  Wheeler’s  cavalry  variously  estimated  to  number 
from  4,000  to  10,000  men.  Slocum  hurried  7,000  troops  thither, 
meantime  protecting  the  railway  between  Wartrace  and  that  city 
as  best  he  could.  The  enemy,  being  warned  of  this  rally,  turned 
toward  Shelbyville  some  miles  from  Wartrace  and  oft  Slocum’s 
line  of  protection. 

Call  came  to  Slocum  October  5th  for  two  regiments  of  in- 
fantry to  he  sent  northward  to  Christiana  before  daylight  next 
morning  to  attack  the  enemy  there,  and  to  keep  communication 
open.  At  six  p.  M.  a call  came  for  immediate  action  against  the 
enemy  at  Christiana.  The  next  morning  Wheelers  full  force,  in- 
cluding twelve  to  twenty-four  pieces  of  artillery,  was  reported 
near  Shelbyville.  They  burned  this  town.  Wartrace  was  attacked 
10 


146 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


by  part  of  the  enemy.  He  was  defeated  there,  but  succeeded  in 
driving  small  detachments  of  Slocum’s  guards  away  from  their 
stations  and  thus  separating  for  a short  time  his  line  of  com- 
munication. Rations  were  getting  short  and,  railway  communi- 
cations being  broken,  a reduction  of  one-third  ration  in  issuing 
was  ordered. 

General  Slocum  was  in  Nashville  October  6th  attending  to 
the  adjustment  of  supplies  in  transit.  This  day  he  wrote  to 
Butterfield,  Hooker’s  Chief  of  staff,  that  he  would  withdraw  his 
troops  from  Murfreesborough  and  elsewhere  north,  and  take 
up  the  guarding  of  the  railway  between  Wartrace  and  Tantalon, 
unless  soon  ordered  otherwise.  Meantime  all  efforts  were  given 
to  repairing  lines  of  communication  destroyed  by  the  enemy. 
The  7th,  part  of  Slocum’s  Xiltli  Corps  were  yet  guarding  the 
railway  between  Cowan  and  Bridgport,  which  shows  continued 
wide  separation.  This  day  General  A.  S.  Williams  of  Slocum’s 
First  Division,  telegraphed  from  Murfreesborough  to  General 
Slocum  at  Nashville,  asking  directions  regarding  movement  of 
troops,  and  reporting  that  Union  cavalry  were  in  pursuit  of  the 
fleeing  enemy,  and  that  ‘it  is  plain  General  Hooker  knew  nothing 
of  the  condition  of  matters  this  way’  while  he  was  issuing  irrela- 
tive orders  from  Stevenson.  The  same  day  Williams  reported 
to  Hooker  that  the  condition  of  affairs  along  the  railway  were 
not  so  serious  as  he  thought,  and  that  all  communications  would 
soon  be  reestablished. 

Report  from  Nashville  October  8th  showed  that  the  part  of 
the  XTIth  Corps  troops  belated  at  Washington  from  several 
causes,  were  being  forwarded  to  Murfreesborough ; also  the  horses 
and  supplies,  all  requiring  at  least  one  hundred  cars  a day.  The 
9th  Slocum’s  troops  had  everything  well  in  hand,  yet  with  line 
extended  southward  between  Murfreesborough  and  Tantalon ; 
and  communications  were  fully  repaired  this  day.  Small  bands 
of  the  enemy  continued  active,  however,  threatening  the  wires, 
bridges,  and  railway  water  supplies,  requiring  constant  vigilance 
of  the  Union  guards,  by  night  as  well  as  day.  The  detachments 
of  troops  were  intrenched  at  every  necessary  point  of  vantage 
where  they  could  keep  the  condition  of  affairs  under  surveillance. 

It  had  been  necessary  that  General  Slocum  visit  Nashville 
again  regarding  the  oncoming  troops  and  wagon  trains.  He  re- 


1863 


HOLDING  THE  ENEMY  IN  CHECK 


147 


turned  to  Murfreesborough  the  evening  of  October  9tli  to  meet 
General  Butterfield.  Further  complaint  was  made  the  next  even- 
ing that  the  non-arrival  of  the  belated  eastern  troops,  and  the 
continued  requests  of  an  unusual  number  of  general  officers, 
were  embarrassing  the  small  detachments  spread  along  the  rail- 
way, and  leaving  their  places  open  to  the  enemy.  But  the  enemy 
was  being  rapidly  depleted  by  deaths  in  skirmishes  and  in  dis- 
ablements and  captures  by  the  Union  troops. 

General  Slocum’s  First  Division  moved  its  headquarters  to 
Deeherd  October  10th,  and  General  Williams  reported  that  the 
enemy  had  been  active  thereabout,  and  that  his  own  movement 
had  been  arduous  and  not  eminently  fruitful.  He  found  the 
railway  tunnel  at  Cowan  blocked,  and  the  enemy  hiding  in  the 
woods  neai’by. 

General  Geary,  of  Slocum’s  Second  Division,  also  reported 
the  10th,  regarding  his  command  at  Murfreesborough,  an  im- 
portant depot  of  United  States  supplies,  that  in  addition  to  his 
Second  Division  of  the  XHth  Corps  he  had  troops,  as  follows : 
the  19th  Michigan  Volunteer  Infantry,  Colonel  H.  C.  Gilbert, 
with  effective  strength  of  478  men;  22ud  Wisconsin,  Colonel  W. 
L.  Utley.  321 ; Detachment  of  the  4tli  East  Tennessee  Cavalry, 
Major  Stephens,  and  detachment  of  dismounted  men  of  the  1st 
Brigade,  line!  Cavalry  Division,  Lieutenant-Colonel  J.  J.  Seibert, 
aggregating  270  men.  Troops  in  Fort  Rosecrans,  Major  C. 
Houghtaling,  commanding ; First  Illinois  Light  Artillery,  938 ; 
Stragglers  of  the  Xlth  and  XHtli  Army  Corps,  Captain  W.  J. 
Mackey  of  the  147tli  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  commanding,  124 
men.  Total  2.131. 

The  armament  of  Fort  Rosecrans  consisted  of : 11  8-inch 
siege  howitzers;  15  24-pounder  James’s  rilled  siege  guns;  16 
6-pounder  smoothbore  field  guns ; 2 1 2-pounder  howitzers,  field ; 
One  10-pounder  rifled  Parrot,  field;  4 6-pounder  rifled  James, 
field ; One  3-incli  rifled  Rodman,  field ; and  One  3-incli  bronze, 
field  gun.  Total  51  canncn.  General  Slocum  also  had  eleven 
outpost  stations  near  Fort  Rosecrans. 

General  Hooker,  being  in  cheerful,  elated  and  communica- 
tive state  of  mind,  October  11th,  he  wrote  from  Stevenson,  Ala- 
bama, to  Edwin  M.  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War,  that,  if  he  pro- 
jected the  transference  of  the  Xlth  and  XHth  Corps  to  the  De- 


148 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


partment  of  the  Cumberland,  he  might  well  claim  the  merit  of 
having  saved  Chattanooga  to  the  Union  cause. 

As  soon  as  the  Confederate  General  Bragg  found  it  not 
practicable  to  attack  Rosecrans  in  Chattanooga,  or  Thomas  at 
Rossville,  Bragg  started  his  cavalry  on  its  strong  and  rapid 
raiding  tour  to  cut  off  all  communications  and  supplies,  and 
thus  compel  the  surrender  of  the  Union  forces  to  prevent  their 
starvation.  Such  would  have  been  an  early  result  but  for  the 
prompt  arrival  of  Slocum’s  and  Howard’s  forces. 

CHAPTER  XXY 

Much  Hard  Work,  and  But  Little  Honor 

Slocum  kept  his  men  busy,  as  much  as  practicable  by  ex- 
tending and  strengthening  intrenchments  and  stockades,  and  in 
securing  good  water  supplies  from  the  enemy  who  was  active 
to  destroy  by  pollution  if  necessary.  This,  with  the  receipt  and 
adjustment  of  the  great  army  trains  necessary  to  put  the  troops 
again  on  a full  war  basis,  required  much  time  and  fatiguing 
work  by  officers  and  troops. 

Not  being  content  at  Stevenson  Hooker,  with  his  persistence 
in  annoying  Slocum  with  frequent  orders  of  a dictatorial  nature, 
most  of  which  were  unnecessary  and,  withal  very  irritating  to 
Slocum’s  sensitive  spirit,  he  wrote  a letter  to  President  Lincoln 
October  12,  making  gratuitous  suggestion  that  Slocum  ‘be  ten- 
dered a command  in  Missouri  or  somewhere  else.’  His  letter 
further  reads:  “Unless  he  gives  more  satisfaction  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties,  he  will  soon  find  himself  in  deeper  water 
than  he  has  been  wading  in.  I shall  deal  very  deliberately  with 
him.  I will  incur  reproach  if  I allow  the  public  interest  to  suffer 
by  his  contumacy.  He  now  appears  to  be  swayed  entirely  by 
passion  in  the  exercise  of  his  office.  I hear  that  his  grievances 
are  hostility  to  myself,  association  with  the  Eleventh  Corps,  and 
disrespect  shown  his  rank  in  detailing  him  for  this  service.  It 
seems  that  he  aspired  to  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  and  that  mortal  offense  was  given  in  not  naming  him 
first.  Of  these  you  probably  know  more  than  myself.  I should 
rejoice  to  have  the  Twelfth  Corps  put  in  Butterfield’s  hands.” 

The  writer  would  not  mention  such  personal  differences 


1863  UNFORTUNATE  CONDITION  OF  OFFICER  149 


were  this  effusion  of  Hooker,  and  much  other,  not  embraced  in 
the  publications  of  the  War  Department 62  and  were  exploited 
malignly  against  General  Slocum.  Not  a little  time  and  effort 
have  been  expended  by  the  writer  with  desire  to  find  evidence 
warranting  this  tirade  of  Hooker  against  Slocum  and,  in  the 
writer’s  opinion,  it  was  not  warranted.  That  Slocum  chafed 
under  Hooker’s  unjust  censoriousness  is  doubtless  true,  but  his 
writings  afford  no  evidence  of  desire  on  his  part  to  annoy  or 
embarrass  Hooker,  much  less  the  service  to  which  he  devoted 
all  his  energies.  Slocum’s  desire  was  to  keep  away  from  Hooker 
and  his  command.  There  is  evidence,  however,  of  Hooker’s  con- 
tinued efforts  to  criminate  Slocum  by  censorious  expressions  and 
needless  inquiry  into  the  cause  of  a few  detached  soldiers  fleeing, 
and  thus  saving  themselves  and  their  equipment,  from  an  over- 
whelming force  of  the  raiding  enemy.  Slocum  was  at  this  time 
at  Nashville,  over  fifty  miles  distant,  attending  to  his  major 
duties.  Undoubtedly  Hooker’s  able  and  gentlemanly  chief  of 
staff;  Major-General  Daniel  Butterfield,  was  able  to  tide  his 
chief  over  many  erratic  and  absurd  denunciations,  errors  of 
commission  and  of  omission,  that  would  otherwise  have  caused 
his  dismissal  from  the  army  definitely.62  A less  considerate 
man  than  Slocum  would  have  positively  resigned  and  left  the 
service.  He  having  been  placed  in  such  objectionable  company, 
even  subordinated  to  it,  by  President  Lincoln  the  latter  would 
soon  fulfill  his  promise,  and  he  felt  that  the  present  condition 
would  continue  only  during  this  emergency. 

Colonel  Thomas  A.  Scott  reported  from  Louisville  October 
13th  that  there  was  an  abundance  of  equipment  for  the  Xltli 
and  Xllth  Corps  on  the  railway  line  between  there  and  Bridge- 
port, Alabama,  to  supply  140  cars  a day  if  they  could  be  free 
from  accident  and  the  enemy.  The  equipment  referred  to  in- 
cluded not  only  the  animals  for  the  army  wagons  but  beef 
cattle,  forage  for  the  animals,  rations  for  the  men  and  other 
army  supplies.  None  of  the  Xllth  Corps  equipment  had  passed 
Nashville  this  day.  Forage  was  scarce  for  the  officers’  horses, 
and  liberal  price  was  offered  farmers  in  their  vicinity  for  all 
that  they  could  supply.  But  the  enemy’s  raiders  had  consumed 
much  and  destroyed  more,  and  the  farmers  received  no  real 
money  from  them. 


150 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


There  had  been  so  much  of  change  and  interchange,  and  at 
times  of  confusion  therefrom,  that  General  Slocum  issued  his 
General  Orders  Number  26,  under  the  date  of  October  13th,  for- 
mally assuming  command  of  the  United  States  troops  along  the 
Nashville  and  Chattanooga  Railway  from  Murfreesborough  to 
Tantalon.  Five  hundred  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  were  sighted 
this  day,  but  they  escaped  unharmed  there  being  no  Union 
cavalry  to  pursue  them. 

The  character,  and  depleted  condition,  at  this  date  of  the 
Xlltli  Corps,  particularly  of  the  Third  Brigade  of  the  1st  Divi- 
sion, was  reported  by  its  commander,  General  Thomas  H.  Ruger, 
at  his  headquarters,  Tullahoma,  Tennessee,  namely: 

Colonel  W.  Hawley  commanding  at  Elk  River  with  the  3rd  Wisconsin 
Volunteers,  312  enlisted  men;  2nd  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  290  men  under 
Colonel  Cogswell;  107th  New  York  Volunteers  (eight  companies)  270  under 
Colonel  Crance;  102nd  Ohio  Volunteers,  280.  Major  Elliott;  1st  United 
States  Colored  Infantry,  800,  Colonel  Thompson;  33rd  Indiana  (detach- 
ment) 60,  Captain  Seaton;  2nd  Kentucky  Battery,  82  men,  Captain  Hewett; 
Engineer  troops  (detachment)  155  men.  At  Estill  Springs:  the  107th  New 
York,  two  companies,  67  men,  and  at  Trestle-work  three  miles  south  of 
Tullahoma  the  15'0th  New  York  (three  companies)  120  men,  Captain  Wickes 
commanding. 

At  Tullahoma:  the  27th  Indiana,  320,  Colonel  Cosgrove;  13th  New 
Jersey,  331,  Colonel  Caiman;  150th  New  York  (seven  companies)  280  under 
Colonel  Keteham;  33rd  Indiana  (five  companies)  286  men,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Henderson;  and  the  9th  Ohio  Battery  (two  sections),  84  men,  Cap- 
tain H.  B.  York,  Two  12-pounder  Napoleons,  and  Two  3-inch  rifled  cannon. 

General  John  W.  Geary,  in  command  of  Slocum’s  Second 
Division,  reported  October  13th  from  his  headquarters  at  Mur- 
freesborough, the  positions  of  his  scattered  troops,  in  substance 
as  follows : 

Colonel  Cobham  was  ordered  by  telegraph  at  10.15  this  morning  to 
detach  two  companies  to  Shelbyville.  Ilnd  Brigade,  Colonel  G.  A.  Cobham, 
headquarters  at  Christiana;  the  111th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  T.  M.  Walker,  at  Christiana,  on  picket  duty  and  patrolling  the  rail- 
way from  within  three  miles  of  Murfreesborough  to  Murray’s  Cut;  109th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  Captain  F.  L.  Gimber,  at  the  Millersburg  and 
Columbus  Cross-Roads,  on  picket  and  patrolling  railway  to  connect  with 
regiment  last  named ; the  29th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  Colonel  W. 
Richards,  Jr.,  at  Fosterville  (two  companies  at  Shelbyville) , on  picket, 
patrolling  railway  to  Bell  Buckle,  and  connecting  with  the  last  named 
regiment.  Illrd  Brigade,  Brigadier-Geneial  George  S.  Greene,  headquar- 
ters at  Murfreesborough;  with  the  78tli  New  York  Volunteers,  Lieutenant 


1863 


SCATTERED  TROOPS.  PROTECTIONS 


151 


H.  von  Hammerstein,  on  railway  bridge  over  west  fork  of  Stone ’s  River 
about  three  miles  south  of  Murfreesborough;  60th  New  York  Volunteers, 
Colonel  A.  Godard;  102nd  New  York  Volunteers,  Colonel  Lane,  and  19th 
Michigan  Volunteers,  Colonel  H.  C.  Gilbert,  stationed  at  Murfreesborough, 
near  railway  depot;  149th  New  York  Volunteers,  Lieutenant-Colonel  C.  B. 
Randall;  22nd  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  Colonel  W.  L.  Utley,  and  detach- 
ments of  convalescents,  in  Fortress  Rosecrans,  near  Murfreesborough. 

Fortress  Rosecrans,  Major  C.  Iloughtaling,  1st  Illinois  Light  Artillery, 
commanding:  Detachment  of  dismounted  cavalry,  Lieutenant-Colonel  J.  J. 
Seibert,  on  Court  House  Square,  Murfreesborough ; Detachment  of  4th  East 
Tennessee  Cavalry,  Lieutenant-Colonel  J.  M.  Thornburgh,  at  Murfrees- 
borough when  not  out  on  scouting  duty. 

Detachment  of  infantry,  from  1st  Brigade  IVth  Division  of  the  XIVth 
Army  Corps,  Lieutenant  G.  W.  Boggess,  near  Fortress  Rosecrans.  1st  Bri- 
gade, Colonel  Charles  Candy,  headquarters  at  Duck  River;  with  the  7th  and 
66th  Ohio  Volunteers,  at  Wartrace;  the  28th  and  147th  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteers, at  Duck  River;  5th  and  29th  Ohio  Volunteers,  at  Normandy  Trestle. 
Report  of  other  scattered  commands  of  Colonel  Candy  had  not  been  received 
at  this  date. 

The  137th  New  York  Volunteers,  Colonel  David  Ireland,  of  the  Illrd 
Brigade,  was  guarding  wagons  on  their  way  to  Tantalon. 

The  details  of  keeping  such  widely  scattered  troops  in 
soldierly  bearing  and  discipline  required  far  more  attention 
from  the  general  officers  than  a compact  army  in  the  field  against 
the  enemy.  Whenever  possible  the  scattered  troops  were  pro- 
tected in  the  best  possible  way  from  the  weather  and  the  enemy’s 
firearms.  Earthworks  of  various  forms  were  constructed,  logs 
and  timber  were  used  for  stockades,  bastions,  sleeping  and  resting 
shelters  and  for  traverses,  and  trees  in  abatis. 


CHAPTER  XXYI 

Battle  op  Wauhatchie  by  Slocum’s  Men 

President  Lincoln  ordered,  through  the  War  Department, 
October  16th,  an  important  change  by  merging  the  Departments 
of  the  Ohio,  the  Cumberland,  and  of  the  Tennessee,  into  the 
Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi.  General  U.  S.  Grant  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  Division,  with  headquarters  in  the 
field.  General  Rosecrans  was  relieved  of  his  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  General  George  H.  Thomas  was 
named  as  his  successor.  In  this  order  General  Grant’s  attention 


152 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


was  called  to  two  of  his  first  duties:  the  supply  of  his  armies, 
and  the  closing  of  the  passes  in  the  Georgia  Mountains  for  the 
shutting  of  the  enemy  from  Tennessee  and  Kentucky. 

General  A.  S.  Williams,  with  headquarters  at  Decherd, 
Tennessee,  among  his  reports  to  General  Slocum  October  17th, 
mentioned  as  resident  there,  Captain  Sims  who  had-  been  com- 
missioned brigadier-general  and  military  governor,  by  Governor 
Andrew  Johnson,  afterwards  Vice  President  of  the  United  States, 
and  President  after  the  death  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  Notwith- 
standing his  claims,  this  product  of  Governor  Johnson  did  not 
materially  interfere  with  the  United  States  authority. 

General  Slocum  was  asked  October  18th,  to  yet  further 
divide  his  command  by  sending  his  Ilnd  Division  to  Bridgeport 
to  advance  to  the  front ; also  to  extend  other  detachments  to  take 
the  place  of  a brigade  of  the  Xlth  Corps  by  sending  three  com- 
panies of  infantry  near  Tantalon.  two  companies  to  Anderson, 
two  companies  to  Cowan,  three  companies  between  Stevenson 
and  Bridgeport,  Alabama,  and  the  remainder  of  the  brigade, 
with  brigade  headquarters,  to  Stevenson.  This  was  for  the  pur- 
pose of  making  an  advance  against  the  enemy,  primarily  to  open 
communication  between  Bridgeport  and  Chattanooga,  both  by 
land  and  the  Tennessee  River,  to  supply  the  short  rationed  Army 
of  the  Cumberland  and,  secondarily,  as  a starting  of  a general 
advance  of  the  Union  forces  against  the  enemy. 

Slocum’s  movements  and  readjustments  were  nesessarilv 
made  by  marchings,  from  want  of  sufficient  railway  equipment 
to  carry  them  by  rail. 

General  George  H.  Thomas  assumed  command  of  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland  October  19th,  and  General  Rosecrans  was 
ordered  to  the  north.  This  day  General  Slocum  sent  an  officer 
to  Nashville  to  forward  wagons,  ambulances,  hospital  stores, 
ammunition,  and  all  other  supplies  necessary  for  his  commands. 

Charles  A.  Dana,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War,  and  special 
correspondent  of  the  secretary,  wrote  from  Chattanooga  October 
23rd  that  an  immediate  movement  of  the  Union  troops  for  the 
occupation  of  Raccoon  Mountain  and  Lookout  Valley  was  in- 
dispensable. General  Hooker  had  been  ordered  the  13th  to  mass 
his  troops  for  this  purpose,  but  he  waited  for  wagons  although 
Thomas  would  not  permit  him  to  use  them  in  this  short  journey 


1S63 


THE  BATTLE  OF  WA UHATCHIE 


153 


in  the  valley ; and  Hooker  liad  no  zeal  in  the  enterprise.  Hooker 
was  behindhand.  Dana  met  him  at  Bridgeport,  his  starting 
point  October  27th,  and  found  him  •’in  an  unfortunate  state  of 
mind  for  one  who  has  to  co-operate,  fault  finding,  criticising, 
dissatisfied.  ’ ,6A 

Hooker  started  his  forces,  composed  of  Howard's  Xlth 
Army  Corps  and  Slocum’s  Second  Division,  in  part,  of  the  XHth 
Corps,  at  daylight  October  27th,  Howard  taking  the  lead.  How- 
ard went  through  to  near  Brown’s  Ferry  where  he  arrived  about 
three  p.  m.  without  serious  opposition.  Thomas’s  men  were 
there  with  pontoons  for  a bridge.  They  met  with  some  oppo- 
sition but  were  victors  with  small  loss,  and  completed  their 
work.  Hooker  halted  Slocum  "s  men  under  General  Geary,  about 
three  miles  back  from  the  Union  front,  and  directed  their  camp 
for  the  night  at  Wauhatchie,  the  intersection  of  Kelly’s  Ferry 
and  Brown’s  Ferry  roads  (see  mapj.  Here  we  will  let  Dana  de- 
scribe the  condition:  “These  positions  not  only  invited  attack 
from  the  enemy,  who  could  see  everything  from  the  top  of  Look- 
out Mountain,  but  were  very  bad  for  the  defense  of  the  Valley, 
and  General  Hazen,  commanding  the  forces  on  the  hills,  went 
to  General  Hooker  and  endeavored  to  get  him  to  take  up  a com- 
pact line  across  the  valley,  and  to  bring  all  his  forces  together. 
But  being  confident  the  enemy  would  not  disturb  him,  Hooker 
refused  to  change  his  dispositions.” 

The  enemy  formed  a plan  to  surprise  Geary’s  small  division, 
rout  it,  capture  his  animals,  and  set  fire  to  all  supplies  he  could 
not  carry  away.  About  the  middle  of  the  night  Geary’s  trusted 
pickets  were  impetuously  attacked  and  driven  in,  with  the 
furious  enemy  at  their  heels  with  ‘unearthly  yells  wherein  these 
Confederates  stood  confessedly  unrivalled.’  The  enemy’s  forces 
though  rattle-brained  and  exhausted  from  their  great  efforts  -to 
frighten,  were  highly  expectant  of  an  easy  prey.  But  Geary  and 
his  men,  true  to  the  discipline  received  from  Slocum,  were  in  no 
wise  inclined  to  panic  or  running.  Although  the  enemy  charged 
on  three  sides,  he  was  met  with  a steady,  direct  fire  into  each  of 
his  fronts,  such  as  running,  excited  men  could  neither  direct  nor 
escape.  This  fire  rapidly  withered  their  ranks.  Those  at  close 
range  began  to  surrender,  and  those  further  away  deployed  with 
little  change  in  result.  Geary ’s  four  cannon  on  nearby  knoll  also 


354 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


did  great  execution.  From  tlie  prisoners  it  was  learned  that  the 
assailants  were  Hood’s  division  of  Longstreet’s  corps,  General 
Micah  Jenkins  being  in  immediate  command.  After  between 
three  and  four  hours  the  enemy  was  withdrawn,  leaving  153  of 
his  dead  in  Geary’s  front,  and  over  100  prisoners.  General 
Geary  fortified  his  position  the  next  day,  while  shot  and  shells 
from  the  enemy’s  guns  on  the  Mountain  fell  ‘in  every  portion 
of  the  works,  without  any  casualties  or  interference  with  the 
workers.  ’ 

Seven  of  Geary’s  regiments  had  not  joined  him  in  time  for 
this  engagement  at  Wauhatchie ; one  was  holding  the  pass  be- 
tween Whitesides  and  Trenton,  and  the  29tli  Pennsylvania  was 
engaged  on  grand  guard  duty.  The  actual  (severe)  fighting 
throughout  the  battle  was  sustained,  in  conjunction  with  the 
artillery,  by  the  137tli  New  York  Volunteers,  the  109th,  111th, 
and  portions  of  the  29th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  embracing  41 
officers  with  743  men.  Slocum’s  other  regiments  present  were 
actively  engaged  but  part  of  the  time.  Their  presence,  however, 
retarded  the  movements  of  the  enemy  to  a degree.  The  Union 
losses  were:  Staff,  4 wounded;  the  78th  New  York,  15  killed,  75 
wounded;  149th  New  York,  1 killed,  11  wounded;  29th  Pennsyl- 
vania, 1 killed,  6 wounded,  and  2 missing ; 109th  Pennsylvania, 
5 killed,  23  wounded,  and  4 missing;  111th  Pennsylvania,  9 
killed,  34  wounded,  and  2 missing;  Knapp’s  Pennsylvania  Bat- 
tery, 3 killed,  and  19  wounded. 

General  George  S.  Greene,  an  able  and  faithful  brigade  com- 
mander of  Gettysburg  fame,  was  seriously  wounded  early  in  the 
battle.  He  did  not  rejoin  his  brigade  until  it  arrived  in  North 
Carolina,  completing  its  great  march  from  Atlanta. 

General  Geary’s  son  was  among  the  killed.  “When  the  rays 
of  the  rising  sun  came  over  Lookout  Mountain  they  fell  with  a 
mellow  light  i;pon  the  tall  and  portly  form  of  General  Geary, 
standing  with  bowed  head  on  the  summit  of  the  knoll,  while  be- 
fore him  lay  the  lifeless  form  of  a lieutenant  of  artillery.  Scat- 
tered about  were  cannon,  battered  and  bullet-marked  caissons 
and  limbers,  and  many  teams  of  horses  dead  in  harness.  There 
were  many  other  dead,  but  none  attracted  his  attention  save  this 
one,  for  he  was  his  son.  The  men,  respecting  his  sorrow,  stood 
at  a distance  in  silence,  while  he  communed  with  his  gifief.  ”C3 


1863 


THE  BATTLE  OF  WA UHATCHIE 


155 


Lieutenant  E.  K.  Geary  of  tlie  artillery,  son  of  the  General, 
was  a young  man  of  excellent  character.  His  father  wrote  of 
him  in  his  official  report  as  follows : “I  may  be  permitted  to  re- 
mark, 1 experience,  in  conjunction  with  the  keen  regrets  of  a 
commanding  officer  for  a worthy  officer,  the  pangs  of  a father’s 
grief  for  a cherished  son,  whose  budding  worth  in  wealth  of 
intellect  and  courage  was  filling  full  the  cup  of  paternal  pride.” 

General  Geary  estimated  the  enemy’s  losses  in  this  battle  as 
fully  1,000  men.  Hooker  stated  in  his  report  that  fit  cannot  fall 
short  of  fifteen  hundred.  ’ But  Hooker  was  several  miles  distant. 
The  disproportion  between  the  Lbnion  and  Confederate  losses  was 
due  to  the  calmness  of  Slocum’s  men  who  were  instructed  to  aim 
so  as  to  strike  chest  or  abdomen  of  the  foe,  while  the  enemy  aimed 
high,  lost  far  more  in  prisoners,  and  largely  in  desertions. 

At  3.30  p.  m.  of  October  29tli  Geary  sent  for  reinforcements, 
with  notice  that  they  guard  well  their  right  bank.  At  7 :25  P.  m. 
his  headquarters  reported  to  Butterfield  that  two  brigades  of 
General  Schurz ’s  division  were  with  him.  They  were  placed  near 
Bowden’s  House,  Wauhatchie.  The  enemy  made  no  further  at- 
tack; and,  with  the  connection  now  opened  and  maintained  be- 
tween Bridgeport  and  Chattanooga,  by  both  railway  and  river, 
rations  in  full  were  soon  established,  excepting  occasional  delays 
from  poor  condition  of  the  railway.  The  successful  midnight 
Battle  of  Wauhatchie  by  Slocum’s  men  had  settled  the  most  im- 
portant question  of  food  supplies  for  the  Army  of  the  Cumber- 
land. 

Assistant  Secretary  Dana  wrote  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 
from  Chattanooga,  October  29th,  that:  “Grant  also  wishes  to 
have  both  Hooker  and  Slocum  removed  from  his  command,  and 
the  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Corps  consolidated  under  Howard.  He 
would  himself  order  Hooker  and  Slocum  away,  but  hesitates  be- 
cause they  have  just  been  sent  here  by  the  President.  Besides,  I 
think  he  would  rather  prefer  that  so  serious  a proceeding  should 
come  from  headquarters.  Hooker  has  behaved  badly  ever  since 
his  arrival,64  and  Slocum  has  just  sent  in  a very  disorderly  com- 
munication, stating  that  when  he  came  here  it  was  under  promise 
that  he  should  not  have  to  serve  under  Hooker,  whom  he  neither 
regards  with  confidence  as  an  officer  nor  respects  as  a man.  Al- 
together Grant  feels  that  their  presence  here  is  replete  with  both 


156 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


trouble  and  danger;  besides,  the  smallness  of  the  two  corps  re- 
quires their  consolidation.” 

The  signature  of  Major-General  U.  S.  Grant  appears  at  the 
bottom  of  the  following  writing  under  date  of  Chattanooga, 
October  26th,  namely:  “Indorsement  on  letter  from  Major-Gen- 
eral H.  W.  Slocum,  Twelfth  Corps,  asking  to  be  relieved  from 
duty  under  General  Hooker:  Respectfully  forwarded  to  head- 
quarters of  the  army,  Washington,  D.  C. 

‘ ‘ On  taking  command  of  the  Military  Division  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, I found  Major-General  Hooker  in  command  of  the  Elev- 
enth and  Twelfth  Army  Corps.  His  position  is  one  that 
rather  embarrasses  the  service  than  benefits  it,  inasmuch  as  de- 
taching one  of  these  corps  would  leave  two  commanders  for  one 
small  army  corps.  As  General  Slocum  objects  to  serving  under 
General  Hooker,  who  has  been  assigned  to  his  present  command 
by  the  President,  I would  respectfully  recommend  that  General 
Hooker  be  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Twelfth  Army  Corps 
and  General  Slocum  relieved  from  further  duty.”65  , 

Copy  of  General  Slocum’s  second  resignation  further  than 
the  foregoing  has  not  been  found  (for  reference  to  his  first  resig- 
nation see  the  index),  nor  has  any  record  been  found  that  the 
War  Department  took  any  notice  of  Hooker’s  fulmination  (see 
ante)  or  of  Grant’s  recommendation.  The  authorities  at  Wash- 
ington knew  too  much  of  Slocum’s  worth  to  the  Union  cause, 
however,  to  accept  his  resignation  from  the  army.  Why  they 
appointed  Hooker  to  this  command,  they  well  knowing  his  in- 
temperate habits  and  shattered  nervous  system,  and  why  they 
kept  him  at  this  time  ‘to  embarrass  the  service’  is  not  apparent. 
The  average  verdict  would  probably  be,  that  they  should  not 
have  coupled  Slocum  and  Hooker  together  for  this  work  in 
Tennessee,  but  having  done  so,  they  should  have  separated  them 
at  this  time,  in  justice  to  Slocum  at  least. 

Genera]  George  H.  Thomas,  commanding  general  of  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland,  to  whom  General  Slocum  sent  his  let- 
ter desiring  relief  from  Hooker’s  further  dictation,  wrote  to 
Slocum  as  follows : “You  are  to  command  all  troops  stationed  on 
the  railroad  from  Murfreesborougli  to  Bridgeport,  both  inclusive. 
You  will  pass  over  the  line  and  make  such  disposition  as  you 
deem  best,  and  report  to  these  headquarters  [Chattanooga  not  to 


1863 


PREPARATIONS  FOR  MORE  BATTLE 


157 


Hooker]  where  you  think  it  advisable  to  establish  your  headquar- 
ters. The  message  sent  you  in  cipher  referred  to  your  communi- 
cation marked  personal,  which  has  been  referred  to  General 
Grant.”  Surely  Dana  was  drawing  a very  long  bow  when  he 
styled  General  Slocum’s  communication  to  General  Thomas 
(marked  personal  and  mentioning  his  Washington  agreement  re- 
garding Hooker)  ‘a  very  disorderly  communication.’ 

General  Slocum  issued  his  General  Orders  Number  27  in 
accordance  with  General  Thomas’s  communication. 

General  Hooker’s  position  at  Waukatehie  was  considered  a 
weak  one  by  army  engineers  and,  October  30th,  he  was  ordered 
to  change  to  a sti*ong  line  running  diagonally  across  Lookout 
Talley,  his  right  covering  the  Kelly’s  Ferry  Road  and  resting 
on  Raccoon  Mountain,  and  his  left  resting  on  one  of  the  series 
of  hills  which  formed  the  engineers’  bridge  head  and  extended  up 
the  Lookout  Valley.  The  enemy  continued  cannoneering  against 
the  Union  forces,  but  without  effect.66 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

Battle  Above  the  Clouds  by  Slocum’s  Men 

Abstract  of  returns  from  the  Department  of  the  Cumberland 
October  31st,  show  the  status  of  XHth  Army  Corps  to  have  been 
as  follows : 

Major-General  H.  W.  Slocum  commanding,  with  headquar- 
ters at  Wartrace,  Tennessee,  with  escort  of  14  officers  and  145 
enlisted  men  present  for  duty,  and  with  aggregate  present  and 
absent,  237. 

1st  Division,  General  A.  S.  Williams  with  headquarters  at 
Tullahoma,  255  officers,  and  4,310  enlisted  men  present  for  duty, 
and  an  aggregate  present  and  absent  of  7,417. 

Ilnd  Division,  General  John  W.  Geary  with  headquarters  at 
Wauhatchie,  with  219  officers  and  3,904  men  present  for  duty, 
and  an  aggregate  present  and  absent  of  7,248. 

Artillery,  11  officers  and  343  men  present  for  duty,  and  an 
aggregate  present  and  absent  of  469,  with  20  cannon. 

Total  present  for  duty,  499  officers,  with  8,702  enlisted  men, 
and  an  aggregate  present  and  absent  of  15,371. 


158 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


These  numbers  are  materially  less  than  those  of  the  last  re- 
turn, from  losses  in  engagements  with  the  enemy,  and  deaths 
from  disease.  The  Abstract  of  returns  of  this  Corps  November 
20th,  show  some  increase,  as  follows : 

Present  for  duty,  officers,  511 ; enlisted  men,  8,206 ; aggre- 
gate present  for  duty,  10,206,  with  26  cannon.  Those  absent 
were  not  enumerated  in  this  report.  At  this  time  the  Xlth  Army 
Corps  was  reported  with  only  7,769  present  for  duty. 

On  November  6th  Dana  reported  that  General  Thomas  had 
passed  the  day  visiting  Hooker’s  lines  in  Lookout  Valley,  that  he 
found  the  lines  very  negligently  placed,  and  the  rifle  pits  badly 
done.  “Apparently  this  is  the  first  time  Howard  has  ridden  the 
lines  of  his  corps.  Hooker  seems  to  pay  little  attention  to  his 
duties.”66  This  will  remind  the  reader  of  Chancellorsville,  and 
again  show  why  General  Slocum  would  not  have  further  asso- 
ciation with  Hooker;  and  why  he  chafed  from  his  Second  Divi- 
sion, under  General  Geary,  being  nominally  under  Hooker’s 
command. 

Major-General  William  T.  Sherman,  who  had  been  in  com- 
mand of  the  XVth  Army  Corps,  operating  in  Mississippi,  was 
appointed  by  General  Grant  Commander  of  the  Department  and 
Army  of  the  Tennessee  October  19th.  Sherman  assumed  this 
command  October  24th  when  at  Iuka,  Mississippi;  and  he  at 
once  took  up  the  march,  and  arrived  at  Chattanooga  in  person 
November  19th.  The  greater  part  of  his  XVth  Corps  arrived  the 
next  day,  with  a division  of  the  XVIIth  Corps. 

Preparations  were  nearly  completed  for  advancing  against 
the  enemy  on  Lookout  Mountain,  and  Missionary  Ridge.  Part 
of  Sherman’s  troops  not  arriving  in  time,  Howard  and  his  Xlth 
Corps  were  taken  from  Hooker  by  Sherman  instead.  The  Ten- 
nessee River  rising  at  this  time  from  flooding  rains,  and  disabling 
the  bridges,  part  of  Sherman’s  belated  troops  were  turned  to 
Hooker’s  command,  consisting  of  two  brigades  under  Generals 
•James  A.  Williamson  and  Charles  R.  Woods  from  General  Peter 
J.  Osterhaus’s  division.  Hooker  was  also  given  command  of  two 
brigades  under  Generals  William  Grose  and  Walter  C.  Whitaker 
from  General  Charles  Cruft’s  division  of  the  IVth  Corps  Army 
of  the  Cumberland. 

Part  of  Hooker’s  forces  began  active  preparation  for  the 


1863 


ASSAULTING  THE  MOUNTAIN  ENEMY 


159 


advance  on  Lookout  Mountain  November  23rd,  namely:  Slocum’s 
Second  Division,  under  General  Geary,  was  extended  so  as  to 
include  the  entire  position  previously  maintained  by  Howard’s 
Xith  Army  Corps  and  Geary ’s  own  command  combined,  the  line 
extending  from  the  confluence  of  Lookout  Creek  with  the 
Tennessee  River  at  its  left  to  the  top  of  Raccoon  Mountain  with 
its  right  (see  map). 

It  was  decided  not  to  attempt  to  take  even  the  lightest  of 
artillery  up  the  Mountain  side.  The  day  before  the  storming  of 
the  Mountain’s  crest  General  Geary  stationed  his  section  of  Slo- 
cum’s artillery  as  follows:  One  section  of  Knapp’s  Pennsyl- 
vania Battery,  under  Lieutenant  McGill  to  accompany  the  storm- 
ing column  to  the  point  of  massing,  then  to  return  and  be  placed 
on  a hill  half  way  between  the  old  mill  and  Bald  Hill  under  the 
supervision  of  Major  J.  A.  Reynolds,  Chief  of  Artillery,  who  also 
placed  two  sections  of  Battery  K,  1st  Ohio  Artillery  (light  12- 
pounders)  under  Lieutenant  Salim,  on  Bald  Hill  near  the  junc- 
tion of  the  creek  with  the  river ; and  he  put  two  sections  of  Bat- 
tery I,  1st  New  York  Artillery  on  a hill  opposite  Lookout  Point 
and  behind  Bald  Hill.  One  Section  of  20-pounder  Parrott’s,  of 
the  4th  Ohio  Battery  was  placed  in  the  gap  to  the  right,  and 
one  section  of  howitzers  of  the  1st  Iowa  Battery  placed  to  com- 
mand the  approaches  to  the  lower  bridge  from  the  hill  on  the 
right  of  the  gap.  Two  sections  of  Knapp’s  Pennsylvania  Bat- 
tery had  been  placed  on  an  eminence  to  the  left  of  Kelly’s  Ferry 
Road  on  the  original  line  of  defense,  from  which  they  could  com- 
mand the  sides  of  Lookout  Mountain.  All  of  the  artillery  thus 
placed  could  work  on  the  enemy’s  upper  fortifications. 

As  protectors  of  the  most  exposed  part  of  his  valley  posi- 
tion, and  gunners,  Geary  placed  two  hundred  of  his  grand 
guards,  chosen  from  different  regiments,  along  the  creek  from 
Wauhatchie  -Junction  to  the  left  of  the  Kelley’s  Ferry  Road, 
under  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  E.  Powell  of  the  66th 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Slocum’s  men  were  at  the  head  of  the  column  for  the  storm- 
ing of  Lookout  Mountain  November  24th.  General  W.  C.  Whit- 
aker with  six  regiments  of  the  1st  and  2nd  Divisions  of  the  IVth 
Army  Corps,  were  subordinate  to  General  John  W.  Geary  who 
was  also  in  immediate  command  of  Slocum’s  Ilnd  Division  of 


160 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


Showing  the  Sites  of  the  Battles  of  Wauhatchie  and  Lookout  Mountain 
where  General  Slocum’s  men  won  Great  Victories 


1863 


ASSAULTING  THE  MOUNTAIN  ENEMY 


161 


the  Xllth  Army  Corps.  All  of  these  troops  were  in  light  march- 
ing order  for  active,  energetic  work  for  scaling  the  Mountain  and 
attacking  the  enemy. 

Crossing  the  railway  at  Wauhatchie  Junction,  they  passed 
under  cover  of  the  woods  to  an  old  mill  about  two  and  a half 
miles  up  the  Lookout  Creek  from  its  mouth.  At  this  time  clouds 
enveloped  the  Mountain  top,  while  heavy  misty  fog  obscured  the 
Mountain  side  from  distant  view,  favoring  the  advance  of  the 
Union  force.  Pioneers  were  sent  forward  under  protective  skirm- 
ishers, to  bridge  the  creek  which  was  swollen  from  copious  rains. 
A detachment  from  Slocum’s  66tli  Ohio  Regiment  was  also  sent 
to  another  point  of  the  Mountain  approach  to  make  demonstra- 
tion for  the  purpose  of  diverting  the  attention  of  the  enemy  away 
from  the  chosen  points  of  ascent.  This  stratagem  was  successful. 

When  the  creek  bridge  was  completed,  Slocum’s  advance 
skirmishers  were  instructed  to  capture  the  enemy’s  pickets  in  the 
front  by  ready,  quick  movement  without  firing  a gun.  The 
skirmishers  were  veterans,  true  to  their  training,  and  they  cap- 
tured forty-three  of  the  enemy’s  pickets  including  one  negro  in 
the  rapid  round  up. 

The  leading  column,  of  Slocum’s  men,  began  crossing  Look- 
out Creek  at  8.30  a.  m.,  the  Second  Brigade  under  Colonel  G.  A. 
Cobliam,  Jr.,  rapidly  leading  the  right  up  the  slope  in  a direct 
line  from  the  creek  crossing  to  the  upper  front  palisade  of  the 
Mountain.  Colonel  David  Ireland,  in  command  of  the  Third 
Brigade  of  Slocum’s  Second  Division  since  the  wounding  of 
General  George  S.  Greene  in  the  Battle  of  Wauhatchie,  followed, 
joining  Cobliam  on  the  left.  Then  General  Whitaker’s  brigade 
followed,  and  Colonel  Charles  Candy  with  Geary’s  First  Bri- 
gade of  Slocum’s  men,  closed  the  rear. 

The  line  of  battle  was  formed  as  follows : Cobliam  in  front 
of  right,  with  two  regiments ; Ireland  with  four  regiments  in 
the  center;  Candy  on  the  left  in  echelon,  at  about  thirty  paces 
interval  to  the  troops  on  his  right ; and  the  66th  Ohio  Regi- 
ment and  three  companies  of  the  5th  Ohio  in  echelon 
as  reserve.  This  constituted  the  front,  covering  the  slopes  from 
Lookout  Creek  to  the  palisade  of  Lookout  Mountain  top.  The 
8th  Kentucky  Regiment,  the  35th  Indiana,  99th  and  40th  Ohio, 
respectively,  in  order  from  the  right  of  Whitaker’s  brigade, 

li 


162 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


formed  tlie  second  line  of  support,  about  three  hundred  and  fifty 
yards  to  the  rear  of  the  front  line,  the  right  remaining  opposite 
Cobh  arm’s  center.  About  one  hundred  yards  in  the  rear  of  the 
supporting  line  were  placed  the  96th  Illinois  Regiment  and  the 
51st  Ohio,  also  of  Whitaker’s  brigade.  Each  subordinate  com- 
mand held  this  relative  position  remarkably  well,  excepting  from 
the  necessary  changes  of  Candy  from  the  changing  contour  of 
his  way.  Hooker  had  little,  if  anything,  to  do  in  formulating 
the  plan  of  attack;  and  he  remained  in  a place  of  safety  at  his 
previous  headquarters  miles  away. 

The  numerous  skirmishers  kept  the  front  line  from  being 
surprised  by  the  enemy  throughout  the  day.  But  sharpshooters 
above  the  palisade  rock  were  annoying  whenever  the  clouds  raised 
to  enable  them  to  aim  well.  The  right  of  Cobham’s  advancing 
line  was  held,  by  the  29th  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  close  to  the 
rugged  palisade,  or  precipice,  of  the  Mountain’s  summit.  This 
gradually  separated  the  left  obliquely  from  the  creek,  lengthened 
the  line  after  a mile’s  advance,  and  changed  Candy’s  echelon  to 
two  lines.  The  slope  of  the  Mountain  was  often  nearly  a forty- 
five  degree  angle;  and  it  was  frequently  broken  into  gullies  and 
ravines,  the  latter  varying  from  fifty  to  even  one  hundred  feet 
in  depth,  generally  with  rather  precipitous  and  rocky  sides  which 
made  the  sliding  down  one  side  and  clambering  up  the  other  not 
only  difficult  but  dangerous  from  liability  of  their  comrades’ 
guns  being  accidentally  discharged,  and  rocks  easily  loosened  to 
roll  or  slide  with  rapidity  and  force  against  the  soldiers  below. 

When  nearing  the  turning  point  around  Point  Lookout,  the 
skirmishers  reported  a movement  of  the  enemy  above  in  support 
of  comrades  in  rifle  pits  near  the  flats  and  river.  This  caused 
quick  change  of  front  and  charge  of  the  Union  left,  and  this  part 
of  the  enemy  was  routed  from  the  pits.  The  fords  were  thus  un- 
covered ; and  the  Union  troops  held  there  in  reserve  advanced  to 
new  positions. 


Xllth  Army  Corps 


1863  ASSAULTING  THE  MOUNTAIN  ENEMY 


163 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

The  Battle  Abo™  the  Clouds,  Concluded 

Candy’s  brigade  was  soon  ordered  at  a right  half  wheel,  and 
it  hurried  up  the  lower  slope  of  the  Mountain  side  while  the  line 
above  moved  relatively  slower  on  the  upper  slopes. 

The  enemy’s  pickets  were  soon  met  in  their  well  stationed 
and  protected  positions.  They  were  at  once  attacked  by  the 
Union  skirmishers,  and  driven  back  to  the  battle  lines  of  their 
comrades  vdio  were  formed  about  one  mile  beyond  and  near 
their  camp  which  covered  the  entire  plateau  in  front  of  the  Union 
right  and  center.  Approach  to  them  displayed  a formidable 
natural  protection  of  rocks,  made  yet  more  formidable  by  breast- 
works of  earth  with  tangled  meshes  without.  These  were  the 
front  of  a network  of  rugged  fortifications,  in  form  of  natural, 
and  artificial  irregular  polygons,  within  which  was  the  Con- 
federate General  E.  C.  Walthall’s  brigade  of  Mississippians  in 
battle  array. 

Without  dismay  or  hesitation  Slocum’s  skirmishers,  with 
their  comrades  at  their  heels,  attacked  the  enemy,  advancing  as 
rapidly  as  possible  and  with  bayonets  fixed.  They  returned  the 
enemy’s  fire  in  front  and  doubled  on  his  flank.  Regardless  of 
the  sharpshooters  in  the  gorges,  and  on  the  crest  during  the 
lighter  intervals  of  fog  liftings,  vigorous  assault  was  made,  Ire- 
land’s brigade  and  Cobliam’s  111th  Pennsylaania  Regiment  clos- 
ing in  vdth  the  enemy  in  front,  and  the  29th  Pennsylvania  strik- 
ing them  forcibly  in  their  left  flank.  Slocum ’s  forces  rapidly  en- 
compassed the  camp,  scaled  the  walls  of  the  fortification,  and  so 
bayonetted  and  bruised  Walthall’s  men  that,  in  less  than  fifteen 
minutes,  many  of  them  threw  down  their  arms  and  surrendered 
their  colors.  The  others  started  to  run  away  and  were  checked 
by  shells  from  Slocum’s  'watchful  artillerists  who  were  anxious 
to  share  in  routing  the  enemy  who  surrendered,  preferring  cap- 
ture to  attempting  to  run  the  gauntlet  of  such  accurate  artillery 
work.  These  batteries  also  threw  some  shells  over  the  heads  of 
their  comrades,  into  the  fortifications  on  top  of  the  Mountain 
which  caused  no  little  confusion  there.  Efforts  of  the  enemy  to 
use  their  artillery  on  the  storming  party  resulted  in  no  harm 
from  their  being  unable  to  lower  the  muzzles  of  their  guns 


164 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


sufficiently.  They  then  lighted  the  fuses  of  shells  and  hurled 
them  over  the  palisade  rock,,  but  little  harm  was  done  by  them. 
A Confederate  regiment  descended  from  the  top  of  the  Moun- 
tain through  a pass  in  the  rear  of  the  Union  right  flank;  and 
immediately  the  29th  Pennsylvania  Regiment  faced  about  and 
fired  a volley  into  the  newcomers  that  caused  their  immediate 
surrender. 

Active  advance  work  was  continued  by  Slocum’s  men.  The 
second  serious  obstructions  met  by  them  were  the  fortifications 
occupied  by  the  Confederate  General  Thomas  J.  Churchill’s  bri- 
gade composed  of  Alabama  and  Georgia  troops  then  commanded 
by  General  George  Maney.  The  Union  artillery  ceased  firing 
as  Slocum’s  men  rounded  the  curvature  between  the  lower  and 
uppermost  ledges.  This  being  attained,  Colonels  Ireland  and 
Cobham’s  commands  charged  upon  the  fortifications  held  by 
Maney ’s  troops  who  presented  strong  resistance  for  a short  time. 
Ireland  pressed  the  enemy  hotly  in  the  face  of  fierce  volleys  at 
close  quarters;  and  Cobham’s  right  poured  into  the  enemy’s 
flank  yet  more  fatal  volleys  which  caused  the  enemy  to  fall  back 
from  one  protective  work  to  another.  He  was  vigorously  fol- 
lowed in  rear  and  flank,  his  retreat  being  constantly  hastened,  no 
time  being  given  him  to  rally  until  he  was  beyond  the  fortifica- 
tions and  well  out  of  reach  of  the  Union  assailants.  Now,  in 
addition  to  the  pleasure  of  being  victors,  and  in  possession  of 
much  of  the  enemy’s  stronghold,  the  Union  troops,  who  were 
mostly  from  less  mountainous  regions,  reveled  in  the  novelty  of 
being  about  the  clouds  which  had  settled  on  the  mountain  slope. 
The  air,  and  surrounding  conditions,  were  exhilarating. 

It  was  now  midday  and,  between  the  riftings  of  the  clouds, 
glimpses  of  General  Osterhaus’s  division  and  of  General  Grose’s 
brigade,  of  Sherman’s  belated  troops  were  seen  climbing  the 
mountain  a long  way  to  the  left  of  Slocum’s  men. 

Reconnoissance  discovered  the  retreated  enemy  massing  a 
heavy  line  in  Geary’s  front,  on  the  east  side  of  the  mountain 
and  extending  from  the  palisade  above  to  the  valley  below.  Col- 
onel Cobham  was  directed  to  advance  seven  or  eight  hundred 
yards  around  the  point  in  order  to  command  the  enemy’s  flank, 
and  make  that  of  Geary  secure.  The  mountain  was  here  exceed- 
ingly steep,  but  Cobham  was  equal  to  the  requirement  and  passed 


1863 


BRAVE  ASSAULTS  ON  THE  ENEMY 


165 


his  men  singly  along  a narrow  path  at  the  base  of  the  palisade  of 
rock  rising  seventy-five  to  one  hundred  feet  perpendicularly 
above  them.  They  attained  the  desired  position,  and  drove  the 
enemy’s  skirminsliers  from  the  slope  below,  while  their  backs 
rested  against  the  acclivity. 

During  Cobliam’s  movement,  Colonel  Ireland  continued  the 
chase  after  the  retreating  enemy.  He  passed  through  a peach 
orchard  on  a narrow  plateau,  encircled  a strong  mass  of  pro- 
tective works,  captured  them,  fired  on  the  retreating  foe  from 
them,  then  leaped  over  the  rear  wall,  and  assailed  another  line 
with  like  result.  At  the  time  of  the  attainment  of  Cobham’s  new 
position,  Ireland  was  engaging  the  enemy  intrenched  behind  a 
stone  wall  running  parallel  with  the  Union  line  from  the  Craven 
House,  often  called  White  House.  Ireland’s  center  divided  at 
this  house  directly  across  the  enemy’s  line,  and  the  60tli  and 
137th  New  York  Volunteer  Regiments  dashed  through  the  yard, 
captured  two  cannon  there  and,  throwing  the  flag  of  the  last 
named  regiment  over  the  guns  to  denote  their  capture,  passed 
on,  while  the  149th  New  York  Volunteers  swerved  to  the  left  of 
the  house,  and  all  actively  engaged  the  enemy,  the  entire  force 
rapidly  capturing  prisoners,  continuing  an  effective  firing,  and 
keeping  up  with  the  retreating  foe  over  successive  belts  of  ram- 
parts through  the  level  area,  the  enemy  reluctantly  yielding 
each  protected  point.  The  State  of  New  York  has  erected  a 
beautiful  monumental  shaft  at  this  point  in  honor  of  Colonel 
Ireland’s  (formerly  Greene’s)  brigade  of  Slocum’s  men. 

About  five  hundred  yards  beyond  the  Craven  House,  by  the 
Mountain  Road,  the  enemy  before  mentioned  in  heavy  force 
(afterward  learned  to  be  three  large  brigades  of  Confederate 
Generals  William  H.  T.  Walker  and  Carter  L.  Stevenson’s  divi- 
sions) well  covered  in  the  woods  and  by  rocks,  received  their 
comrades  who  had  been  routed  by  Slocum’s  men.  Colonel  Ire- 
land, without  consideration  of  their  overwhelming  numbers,  fresh 
condition,  and  strong  position,  fiercely  attacked  them.  General 
Whitaker,  who  had  been  halted  at  the  Craven  House,  was  ordered 
to  send  part  of  one  of  his  regiments  to  the  support  of  Ireland’s 
left.  It  met  strong  resistance,  and  was  soon  withdrawn.  The 
enemy  made  several  charges  against  Ireland’s  command  and 
was  handsomely  repulsed  each  time.  Ireland’s  entire  force  was 


166 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


hotly  engaged,  and  Cobliam  then  seeing  his  opportunity  from 
his  exalted  perch,  poured  volley  after  volley  into  the  enemy’s 
left  flank,  endlading  his  lines  so  as  to  make  his  position  unten- 
able. Unfortunately  for  the  Unionists  at  that  time  the  clouds, 
which  had  been  for  some  time  raised  above  the  scene,  now  settled 
upon  Cobliam ’s  men  and  continued  to  obscure  the  enemy  who, 
being  relieved  from  the  disastrous  dre,  gave  attention  to  his 
wounded,  and  to  the  reforming  of  his  lines. 

Now  came  an  order  out  of  the  great  distance  from  the  com- 
manding general,  Hooker,  for  Geary  to  halt  on  the  heights  and 
strengthen  the  Union  position  there,  Hooker  not  realizing  the 
great  advance  gained.  While  Geary  was  planning  to  hold  not 
only  the  heights  but  all  of  his  advanced  position  below,  Oster- 
haus’s  men  came  up  and  were  formed  on  Ireland’s  left  which, 
with  other  parts  of  Slocum’s  men,  enabled  him  to  form  a strong 
line  to  retain  all  the  ground  gained  from  the  upper  palisade 
down  well  toward  Chattanooga  Creek.  Whitaker’s  brigade  was 
held  as  reserve  on  line  with  the  Craven  House.  All  parts  of 
Geary’s  force  which  were  not  well  positioned  and  protected  in 
the  captured  works  of  the  enemy,  proceeded  to  construct  works 
for  their  protection.  Colonel  Cobliam ’s  command  cut  into  the 
side  of  the  mountain  for  more  room  and  protection.  Soon  after 
midday  their  flag  was  hoisted  on  the  higest  accessible  point  of 
the  mountain  gained  November  24th. 

About  one  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  the  enemy  assaulted  in 
force  the  left  of  Geary’s  division  of  Slocum’s  men,  but  he  was 
driven  back  to  his  cover  notwithstanding  the  hasty  retreat  of  a 
supporting  Union  regiment  of  another  command. 

Slocum’s  men  had  been  at  the  front  and  on  the  heels  of  the 
enemy  in  all  of  the  four  miles  of  strenuous  advance.  The  severe 
exertion  on  the  steep  mountain  sides,  with  their  gullies  and 
ravines,  caused  the  profuse  perspiration  and  fatigue.  Their 
animated  assaultings  and  pursuits  of  the  enemy,  continued  as 
they  were,  were  not  less  fatiguing.  Their  clothing  was  wet  with 
perspiration  and  with  the  heavy  mists  of  the  mountain.  The 
mountain  air  was  cold  and,  in  their  light  dress,  they  were  much 
chilled  when  the  active  exercise  ceased.  All  of  this,  however, 
was  borne  cheerfully,  and  the  best  of  spirit  animated  these 
veterans  of  Slocum  at  all  times. 


1863 


THE  ENEMY  BUNS  AWAY 


167 


When  ammunition  ran  low,  the  cartridges  were  replenished 
from  the  boxes  of  the  captured  foe,  and  from  supplies  brought 
from  the  valley  in  the  pockets  of  those  sent  for  it,  and  on  the 
backs  of  mules  brought  back  with  them. 

About  three  o’clock  the  enemy  began  to  mass  under  the 
upper  palisade  in  front  and  to  the  left  of  Cobliam.  General 
Geary  directed  the  28th  Pennsylvania  Regiment  to  dislodge  this 
force,  which  it  did  with  dispatch.  The  enemy’s  sharpshooters 
abounding  at  this  time,  a part  of  the  28th  Pennsylvania  was 
detached  to  quiet  them,  which  desired  effect  it  also  accomplished. 
Fires  were  built  later  among  the  Union  men  and  they  were  kept 
burning  during  the  night.  Although  there  was  no  call  to  arms, 
but  little  sleep  was  obtained  during  the  night  by  the  bivouacking 
victors. 

Before  daylight  of  the  morning  of  November  25th  small 
reconnoitering  parties  were  sent  by  General  Geary  to  gain  the 
summit  of  Lookout  Mountain  by  the  aid  of  ladders  placed  at 
thedower  parts  of  the  palisade.  One  party  ascended  on  the  east- 
ern and  another  on  the  western  side  of  Point  Lookout ; and  they 
unfurled  their  banners  at  about  the  same  time.  The  numerous 
enemy  evacuated  every  part  of  his  works  on  mountain  and  slope, 
and  had  retreated  in  the  night,  leaving  camp  equipment,  many 
arms,  and  stores  in  great  quantity.  Stragglers  yet  lingered 
around  the  fires  which  they  had  kept  burning.  They  gladly  gave 
the  conquerors  all  the  information  they  possessed  regarding  their 
former  comrades.  The  fear  of  Geary ’s  besetting  force  on  Lookout 
Mountain,  the  advance  of  Sherman  and  Thomas’s  armies  against 
their  Confederate  comrades  on  Missionary  Ridge  who  required 
their  help,  or  the  fear  of  the  blocking  of  their  line  of  retreat 
from  Geary,  one,  or  all  these,  may  have  influenced  the  enemy’s 
retreat  from  Geary. 

It  was  a very  noteworthy  battle,  altogether,  and  a very  re- 
markable victory,  worthy  of  Slocum’s  thoroughly  disciplined 
and  often  tried  veterans.  Fortunately  Hooker  remained  in  the 
valley  miles  away,  where  he  could  not  defeat  victory.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  natural  obstructions  of  ravines,  precipices,  rocks  and 
crevices,  with  sharpshooters  stationed  at  every  point  of  vantage, 
were  added  abatis,  slashings,  and  carefully  constructed  defen- 
sive works  built  systematically  in  chain  along  the  top  of  the 


168 


MAJOR-GENE  UAL  SLOC  UM 


1863 


mountain  and  down  its  side  well  toward  the  valleys  below.  Prac- 
tically all  of  the  enemy’s  fortifications,  and  equipment,  were  in 
possession  of  the  victors.  The  battle-fields  were  strewn  with  the 
dead  of  Union  and  Confederate  troops. 

Relative  to  the  prisoners  captured  by  the  Unionists,  possibly 
overestimated  as  two  thousand  or  more,  there  were  conflicting 
claims  inasmuch  as  Slocum’s  men,  being  in  the  van  and  con- 
tinued fighting  and  turning  prisoners  over  to  those  in  their  rear, 
many,  if  not  most  of  the  prisoners  were  claimed  by  each,  or 
most,  of  the  subordinate  commands  seeing  or  guarding  them, 
while  Slocum's  men  were  the  real  captors. 

The  advance  columns  of  Slocum’s  men  had  vantage  in  the 
necessary  right-wheel  movement  in  turning  the  angle  of  Lookout 
Point  and  slope  crest,  which  afforded  Geary’s  slower  moving 
right  flank  a continued  enfilading  fire,  thus  greatly  relieving  the 
center  and  left  columns  on  the  slope  below  for  their  necessarily 
more  rapid  movement.  Rapid,  persistent  action  was  necessary 
throughout  for  success  in  storming  the  enemy’s  works.  Be  quick 
to  displace  the  man  in  front  of  you,  was  the  order  of  the  day, 
and  it  meant  that  several  of  the  enemy  were  displaced  by  each 
persistent  assailant,  which  accounted  for  the  wonderful  accom- 
plishments by  the  determined  energy  of  the  storming  force. 
Slow,  deliberate  movement  would  have  been  followed  by  quick 
defeat  of  the  smaller  Union  force  engaged. 

Southern  officers  have  written  that  the  Union  force  in  this 
battle  far  exceeded  the  Confederates ; and  that  the  far-famed 
Battle  of  the  Clouds  was  largely  a pretty  fiction.  It  is  well  to 
bear  in  mind  the  facts  that  those  writers  much  underestimate 
the  number  of  Confederates  engaged;  also  that  but  a part  of 
those  who  started  with  Slocum’s  men  who  composed  only  a very 
small  division,  participated  particularly  in  the  engagements.  It 
was  the  able  directions  of  Geary,  the  impetuous  Colonel  Ireland 
and  his  inspired  men,  ably  supported  by  the  steadfast  Cobham 
and  Candy,  to  whom  the  victory  is  due.  The  Confederate  Gen- 
eral John  B.  Gordon  wrote  in  his  Reminiscences  that  “Whatever 
may  be  its  proper  designation,  it  was  a most  creditable  affair  to 
both  sides.”  Also  that  “The  conception  of  moving  upon  an 
unknown  force  located  in  such  a series  of  strongholds  was  bold 
and  most  creditable  to  the  high  soldierly  qualities  of  General 


1863 


BATTLE  OF  MISSIONARY  RIDGE 


169 


Geary  and  the  men  who  moved  at  his  command  through  the  fogs 
and  up  the  steeps.”  Gordon,  like  most  other  writers,  gives  all 
the  honor  to  General  Hooker  who  did  not  plan  the  action  and 
who  was  during  all  of  the  time  of  its  execution  several  miles  dis- 
tant from  the  field  of  action.  The  credit  is  due  to  General  Slo- 
cum who  made  these  soldiers  for  this  work,  all  of  whom  were 
under  the  command  of  his  trustworthy  General  Geary.  Each 
one,  and  all  of  them  deserve  the  honor  of  the  brilliant  results  at 
Wauhatcliie  and  Lookout  Mountain ; also  of  their  brilliant  work 
at  Missionary  Ridge,  and  throughout  the  Chattanooga-Atlantic 
campaign.  Much  of  this  brilliant  work  was  done,  however, 
notwithstanding  the  gross  mistakes,  unfortunately,  of  Hooker, 
as  have  previously  been  several  times  shown,  and  will  be  later 
necessarily  referred  to  from  high  authority. 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

Battles  op  Missionary  Ridge  and  Ringgold 

In  accordance  with  General  Hooker’s  order  received  from 
General  Thomas,  General  Geary’s  division  of  Slocum’s  corps, 
took  up  the  march  about  10  o’clock  a.  m.  of  November  25tli  in 
pursuit  of  the  retreating  foe.  The  route  of  his  retreat  led  down 
Lookout  Mountain  to  Chattanooga  Creek.  Here  about  three 
hours  were  passed  by  the  Union  forces  in  building  a bridge  in 
place  of  one  burned  by  the  enemy.  There  was  some  artillery  op- 
position by  the  enemy  a little  beyond  the  creek,  but  his  guns  were 
soon  silenced,  and  one  was  captured. 

At  three  p.  m.  when  near  Rossville  Gap,  Georgia,  Hooker, 
who  was  now  with  the  column,  directed  Geary  to  turn  to  the  left 
and  follow  the  trend  of  the  western  base  of  Missionary  Ridge  in 
a northeasterly  direction.  The  left  of  the  Union  army  was  at 
this  time  hotly  engaged  with  the  enemy  on  the  knobs  a little  .to 
the  north.  Geary’s  division  of  Slocum’s  men  pressed  forward, 
with  their  five  batteries,  until  much  in  advance  of  his  supporters 
(Generals  Charles  Cruft  on  the  crest  of  the  ridge  and  Osterliaus 
along  the  eastern  base)  then  forming  his  three  small  brigades, 
Cobham  and  Creighton’s  along  the  base  in  column  of  regiments, 
and  Ireland’s  in  support  of  the  artillery,  Geary  opened  Captain 


170 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


Landgraeber’s  horse  artillery  upon  the  flank  and  rear  of  the 
enemy’s  lines,  compelling  him  to  fall  back,  Cruft  and  Osterhaus 
following  after  him.  Geary,  now  seeing  another  opportunity, 
continued  a brisk  artillery  fire  while  he  reformed  his  lines  in  bri- 
gades, Creighton’s  in  front  and  Cobham’s  second,  and  marched 
them  rapidly  up  the  craggy  side  of  the  ridge,  moving  obliquely 
to  effect  proper  junction  with  Major-General  John  M.  Palmer’s 
right  of  the  IVth  Army  Corps  of  Thomas’s  troops,  which  was 
then  just  discerned  approaching  a half  mile  to  the  north.  Slo- 
cum ’s  men  under  Geary  were  thoroughly  imbued  with  enthusiasm 
for  quick  and  more  active  participation  in  the  battle,  and  Geary 
had  to  exert  his  commanding  power  to  hold  them  back  to  prudent 
pace.  The  enemy  was  losing  ground.  As  he  attempted  to  make 
a new  stand  at  the  front,  Geary’s  artillery  would  open  anew  on 
his  flank,  throwing  him  into  worse  confusion.  Geary’s  skirmish- 
ers were  also  doing  active  work;  and  now  his  line  gained  the 
summit  through  the  crags  and  arrested  the  flight  of  Confederate 
Stuard’s  (?)  brigade  of  Breckenridge ’s  corps  just  as  the  Union 
General  Richard  W.  Johnson's  division  of  Palmer’s  corps  ar- 
rived on  the  crest  at  the  left.  The  Union  victory  was  decisive ; the 
battlefield  of  Missionary  Ridge,  many  prisoners,  guns,  and  col- 
ors were  in  possession  of  the  victors.  General  Geary,  with  his 
division,  descended  to  the  western  base  of  the  ridge  and  there 
bivouacked  for  the  night  in  the  vacated  enemy ’s  winter  quarters. 
Several  hundred  more  prisoners  were  brought  in  by  the  strong 
lines  of  night  guards. 

The  next  morning  at  10  o’clock,  November  26th,  General 
Hooker  directed  his  command  forward  on  the  line  of  retreat  of 
Confederate  General  Bragg’s  army  in  the  following  order:  Gen- 
eral Osterhaus ’s  division  of  Sherman’s  XVth  Army  Corps  in 
front;  General  Geary’s  division  of  Slocum’s  XHth  Army  Corps 
in  the  center;  and  General  Cruft’s  division  of  the  IVth  Army 
Corps  in  the  rear.  The  direction  was  southeasterly,  through 
Rossville  Gap  and  along  the  road  toward  Graysville.  West 
Chickamauga  Creek  was  crossed  by  the  troops  over  a foot  bridge. 
The  horses  swam  across,  and  the  artillery  awaited  the  arrival  of 
the  pontoon  bridge. 

The  entire  route  showed  evidences  of  the  rapid  pace  of  the 
enemy  and  of  his  great  efforts  to  facilitate  his  escape.  Aban- 


1863 


THE  ENEMY  PURSUED 


171 


doned  artillery  caissons  and  limbers  filled  with  ammunition, 
broken  wagons,  camp  equipment,  tents,  arms,  accouterments, 
burning  wagon  trains  and  supplies,  filled  and  lined  the  road. 
All  the  bridges  for  miles  had  been  destroyed  by  fire.  The  enemy 
had  bivouacked  for  a time  in  the  night.  His  fires  were  yet  burn- 
ing in  places,  and  numerous  stragglers  were  captured  there. 
General  Geary  deployed  detachments  of  troops  through  the 
brush,  which  captured  several  secreted  parties  of  the  enemy, 
some  of  them  surrendering  without  opposition. 

At  evening  twilight  it  was  necessary  to  halt  for  the  building 
of  a bridge  over  Pea  Vine  Creek.  Here  the  rear  guard  of  Gen- 
eral John  C.  Breckenridge’s  command  was  discovered.  General 
Geary  formed  his  division  in  line  of  battle  on  both  sides  of  the 
main  road,  and  advanced.  The  result  was  the  capture  by  him 
of  three  cannon  of  Ferguson’s  battery  with  the  gunners  and  part 
of  their  infantry  support.  The  desire  of  the  main  body  of  the 
enemy  was  to  get  away  as  fast  as  possible,  which  he  did  without 
waiting  to  fire  a gun. 

The  Union  forces  crossed  the  creek,  and  proceeded  through 
Chickamauga  Swamp  about  ten  p.  m.  It  was  then  ascertained 
that  the  enemy  had  forces  on  Pigeon  Hills  nearby.  General 
Osterhaus  advanced  and,  meeting  the  enemy’s  skirmishers, 
Creighton’s  brigade  of  Slocum’s  men  hastened  forward  and 
formed  in  line  on  a road  at  the  base  of  the  hills  at  right  angle 
with  the  Ringgold  Road.  Cobham’s  brigade  was  placed  in  line 
in  open  field  about  three  hundred  yards  to  the  rear.  Geary’s 
skirmishers  were  at  once  advanced  to  the  hills  which  they  scaled 
and  drove  the  rear  guard  of  the  enemy  from  the  heights.  It  was 
now  late,  the  night  was  dark,  the  country  was  strange  to  the 
Union  troops,  and  they  prudently  bivouacked  at  the  base  of 
Pigeon  Hills. 

The  march  was  resumed  the  next  day  at  daybreak,  in  the 
same  order  as  before.  It  led  over  the  Pigeon  Hills  and  across 
ranges  of  hills  beyond.  Many  prisoners  were  taken  before  arriv- 
ing at  the  bivouac  fires  of  the  retreating  forces  of  Breckenridge, 
about  two  miles  from  the  bivouac  of  the  pursuers.  At  eight  a.  m. 
Slocum’s  men,  under  Geary,  arrived  at  Ringgold,  Georgia,  and 
marched  through  the  town  with  quickened  step  under  musketry 
fire  of  the  enemy,  from  the  bridge  beyond,  which  wounded  several 


172 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


men.  The  preceding  afternoon  and  night  Confederate  General 
Braxton  Bragg's  army  had  retreated  along  the  Western  and  At- 
lantic Railway  through  a gap  in  Taylor’s  Ridge  which  is  much 
higher  than  the  Missionary  Ridge  and  with  very  steep  and 
precipitous  sides.  Bragg  had  left,  among  the  timber  and  rocks 
on  the  top  of  Taylor’s  Ridge,  Major-General  Patrick  R.  Cle- 
burne’s division  of  Lieutenant-General  William  J.  Hardee’s 
corps,  to  hold  this  important  gap.  General  Hooker,  now  with  the 
Union  troops,  directed  Osterhaus  to  attack  the  enemy  in  front; 
and  Hooker  directed  Geary  to  move  one  brigade  of  Slocum’s  men 
to  the  left,  to  scale  the  ridge,  attack  the  enemy  in  flank,  and  to 
charge  along  the  ridge  with  vigor.  Creighton’s  brigade,  which  was 
sent  in  advance,  was  soon  met  by  the  much  stronger  enemy’s  fire 
poured  upon  it  from  heights  five  hundred  feet  above  while  the 
men  were,  with  the  other  difficulties  of  the  steep  ascent,  making 
slow  progress.  Creighton’s  fire  was  withheld  until  he  was  half 
way  up  and  within  close  range  when  his  musketry  had  disastrous 
effect  on  the  enemy,  who,  with  great  advantage  in  freedom  from 
fatigue  and  in  reloading,  returned  fire  with  greater  rapidity. 
The  enemy  was  now  reinforced  against  Creighton  and  in  effort 
to  change  his  line  the  enemy  succeeded  in  enfilading  and  com- 
pelling its  retirement,  which  was,  however,  slow.  Twelve  of  its 
thirteen  officers,  and  nearly  half  of  the  men  of  the  Seventh  Ohio 
Volunteer  Regiment  taken  into  this  action  were  killed  or  dis- 
abled. The  steadfast  Lieutenant-Colonel  Crane  was  among  the 
killed.  The  147th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  gained  a position  on 
the  left  near  the  top  of  the  ridge,  it  being  somewhat  protected 
behind  a ledge  of  rocks.  Here  both  of  its  flanks  being  soon  en- 
dangered by  the  retirement  of  the  7th  Ohio  and  the  enemy’s  ad- 
vance over  the  crest,  it  was  ordered  to  retire.  The  28th  Pennsyl- 
vania and  66th  Ohio  on  the  Union  right,  being  more  protected  by 
the  contour,  gained  position  within  forty  yards  of  the  ridge’s 
crest,  but  could  not  advance  further  without  being  captured  dead 
or  alive  by  the  far  more  numerous  foe  watching  them.  They 
were  ordered  by  General  Geary  to  retire,  and  to  reform  their  line 
near  the  base  of  the  ridge.  In  this  retiring  movement  the  brave 
Colonel  Creighton  was  killed  by  the  foe. 

Cobham ’s  small  brigade  of  Slocum ’s  men  was  massed  on  the 
edge  of  the  town  of  Ringgold  toward  Taylor’s  Ridge.  The  enemy 


1863 


THE  BATTLE  OF  RINGGOLD 


173 


soon  pressed  back  some  of  Osterhaus ’s  regiments  on  the  right,  and 
Geary  sent  Cobham  to  their  support.  He  so  hotly  engaged  the 
enemy  as  to  cause  their  retirement  for  reforming  lines.  Upon 
Cobham ’s  forward  movement  Geary  called  Ireland’s  brigade 
from  its  reserve  position  in  Ringgold  and  formed  it  in  column  of 
regiments  in  mass  at  Cobham ’s  former  position.  The  battle  con- 
tinued in  front.  At  10.10  a.  m.  the  enemy  concentrated  his  artil- 
lery and  infantry  on  Osterhaus ’s  right  which  began  to  give  away 
with  danger  of  the  Hank  being  turned.  Geary  at  once  ordered 
Ireland ’s  brigade  on  the  double-quick  to  drive  back  the  enemy  on 
that  quarter.  Ireland’s  small  but  very  effective  force  ran  rapidly 
and  compactly  across  a clear  swampy  space  of  nearly  half  a mile, 
turned  to  the  left  along  the  Catoosa  Creek,  passed  Osterhaus ’s 
hard  pressed  men,  toward  Taylor’s  Ridge  Gap,  and  hastily 
formed  a line  of  battle  with  its  119th  New  York  Volunteers  for 
his  right  at  an  old  barn  in  the  lowland  by  the  creek,  and  the 
137th  New  York  for  his  left,  on  the  railway  adjoining  Cobham ’s 
right.  These  troops  continued  the  battle  at  close  quarters  with 
their  characteristic  energy  and  soon  compelled  a cheek  of  the 
enemy  whose  active  sharpshooters  abounded  on  both  sides  of  the 
gap,  and  whose  cannon  were  hurling  shell  and  grape.  Confeder- 
ate Cleburne’s  men  had  the  reputation  of  ‘being  hard  to  drive’ 
but  they  had  not  before  met  Slocum’s  men  who  possessed  the 
reputation  of  both  driving  and  winning— and  they  won  here,  the 
enemy  being  soon  compelled  to  seek  protection  on  the  ridge  and 
out  of  the  range  of  Slocum’s  men.  A piece  of  Confederate  ar- 
tillery, with  infantry  supports,  was  brought  to  the  edge  of  the 
woods,  and  within  one  hundred  yards  of  Ireland’s  line.  A de- 
tachment of  sharpshooters  from  the  119th  New  York  at  once 
began  to  drop  the  artillerists  and  their  protectors,  and  the  others 
retreated  hastily.  Others  of  the  enemy  advanced  several  times 
with  like  result.  A company  finally  succeeded  in  drawing  away 
the  gun,  losing  several  of  their  men  in  so  doing.  It  was  neces- 
sary for  the  officers  to  restrain  the  desire  of  Slocum’s  men  to 
charge  the  foe  on  Taylor’s  Ridge.  Such  effort  was  thought  by 
General  Geary  very  dangerous,  and  unnecessary. 

Ireland  and  Cobham  maintained  their  positions,  with  oc- 
casional sharp  skirmishing,  until  Major  John  Reynolds,  Chief  of 
Slocum’s  artillery,  arrived  at  midday  with  his  necessarily  de- 


174 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


tained  batteries.  One  section  of  Knap’s  Pennsylvania  battery 
was  wheeled  into  position  near  Ireland’s  right,  in  front  of  the 
gap,  and  one  section  of  Landgraeber’s  12-pounder  howitzers  was 
placed  on  Knap’s  right.  The  fire  of  the  enemy’s  sharpshooters 
was  now  directed  at  the  gunners  who  soon  silenced  the  enemy’s 
efforts  and  drove  back  his  supporters.  Another  section  of 
Knap’s  battery  had  been  placed  by  Geary’s  order  on  the  railway 
at  the  Union  left  and  in  front  of  the  massing  enemy.  All  of 
these  guns  did  excellent  work  and,  at  one  p.  m.,  the  enemy  show- 
ing evidences  of  withdrawing,  Osterhaus  was  now  directed  to 
send  several  of  his  regiments  upon  the  ridge  to  speed  the  foe’s 
departure,  or  to  capture  him.  Ireland  sent  his  skirmishers  into 
the  gap  where  the  149th  New  York  captured  two  flags,  one  being 
the  guidon  of  the  companies  of  the  enemy’s  artillery.  A number 
of  prisoners  were  also  captured.  General  Geary  complained  of 
the  barbarous  treatment  by  the  enemy  of  some  of  his  wounded 
and  helpless  men  at  Ringgold.  They  were  robbed  of  all  clothing 
and  valuables,  and  left  thus  exposed  to  the  cold  mountain  air. 

This  series  of  skirmishes  at  Ringgold  lasted  about  five  hours. 
Skirmishers  were  sent  after  the  retreating  foe.  They  stopped  the 
destruction  of  bridges,  and  captured  additional  prisoners  which 
were  added  to  former  lists  and  sent  to  Chattanooga. 

General  Geary  appointed  a provost  guard  for  Ringgold 
which,  in  accordance  with  Hooker’s  orders,  destroyed  the  manu- 
factories, tanneries,  and  mills,  likely  to  be  serviceable  to  the 
enemy. 

Hospitals  for  the  wounded  and  sick  were  opened  in  Ring- 
gold  ; and  soldiers  were  quartered  in  forsaken  houses  of  the  town 
during  the  inclement  weather. 

General  Geary  reported  the  depleted  numbers  composing  his 
Second  Division  of  the  XII th  Corps  of  Slocum’s  men  as  follows: 
In  Battle  of  Lookout  Mountain,  1st  Brigade  58  officers  and  952 
enlisted  men;  Ilnd  Brigade,  36  officers  and  538  men;  Illrd  Bri- 
gade, 47  officers  and  728  men.  In  the  Battles  of  Missionary 
Ridge  and  Ringgold : 49  officers  and  845  men ; 33  officers  and 
438  men ; 37  officers  and  587  men,  respectively. 

The  casualties  of  Slocum’s  men  were  remarkably  light, 
namely:  In  the  Battle  of  Lookout  Mountain,  2 officers  and  20 
enlisted  men  were  killed,  and  14  officers  and  102  enlisted  men 


1863 


MISSIONARY  RIDGE  AND  RINGGOLD 


175 


wounded.  In  the  Battle  of  Ringgold,  5 officers  were  killed  and  29 
enlisted  men;  and  19  officers  and  150  men  were  wounded.  The 
casualties  of  the  enemy  were  far  greater  as  then  reported,  name- 
ly: Left  on  the  field,  Lookout  Mountain,  125  killed  and  300 
wounded;  at  Ringgold,  130  killed.  The  enemy  buried  many  of 
his  killed,  and  carried  away  most  of  his  wounded.  Prisoners 
taken  by  Slocum's  men  numbered  1,910  on  Lookout  Mountain; 
between  600  and  700  on  Missionary  Ridge,  and  230  at  Ringgold. 
There  were  captured  on  Lookout  Mountain  2,800  stand  of  arms, 
two  cannon,  five  battle  flags,  fifty  officers  ’ swords ; with  1,000 
intrenching  tools,  and  large  quantities  of  supplies.67 

The  writer  will  now  let  Charles  A.  Dana,  of  New  York,  As- 
sistant Secretary  of  War,  who  was  on  the  battle-field  of  Mission- 
ary Ridge,  tell  what  he  observed  and  learned:  “ Battle  of  yes- 
terday [November  25th]  was  fought  by  corps  of  Hardee  (late 
Polk's)  and  Breekenridge,  twenty-five  to  thirty  thousand  men  in 
all.  Hardee  was  before  Sherman ; Breekenridge  before  Thomas 
[whose  forces  included  Slocum’s  men].  Breekenridge  was  with 
Bragg  at  the  moment  of  the  rout,  and  they  escaped  together. 
The  storming  of  the  ridge  was  one  of  the  greatest  miracles  in 
military  history.  No  man  who  climbs  the  ascent  by  any  of  the 
roads  that  wind  along  its  front  can  believe  that  eighteen  thou- 
sand men  were  moved  up  its  broken  and  crumbling  face  unless 
it  was  his  fortune  to  witness  the  deed.  It  seems  as  awful  as  a 
visible  interposition  of  God.  Neither  Grant  nor  Thomas  in- 
tended it.  Their  orders  were  to  carry  the  rifle-pits  along  the 
base  of  the  ridge  and  capture  their  occupants,  but  when  this  was 
accomplished  the  unaccountable  spirit  of  the  troops  bore  them 
bodily  up  those  impracticable  steeps,  over  the  bristling  rifle-pits 
on  the  crest  and  the  thirty  cannon  enfilading  every  gully.  ’ ’ 

Under  date  of  November  28tli,  Dana  further  wrote  from 
Ringgold:  “Yesterday  the  first  great  fault  in  this  admirable  cam- 
paign occurred  at  this  place.  General  Plooker  arrived  here  about 
nine  a.  m.  with  Geary’s  division,  Twelfth  Corps,  Osterhaus ’s 
division  of  Sherman’s  army,  lately  commanded  by  Woods,  and 
two  divisions  Fourteenth  Corps  under  Palmer.  The  enemy  was 
drawn  up  in  a narrow  gorge  where  the  railroad  passes  between 
Taylor’s  Ridge  on  the  right  and  White  Oak  Ridge  on  the  left, 
the  two  ridges  being  in  fact  but  parts  of  the  same  range  of  hills. 


376 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


It  was  a very  dangerous  defile  to  attack  in  front,  and  common 
sense  plainly  dictated  that  it  should  be  turned.  This  could  be 
done  without  difficulty  by  way  of  White  Oak  Ridge,  which  can 
be  passed  with  ease  in  many  places,  while  Taylor’s  Ridge  is 
steeper,  though  infinitely  easier  to  go  over,  than  Missionary  Ridge 
at  Chattanooga.  However,  Hooker  attacked  in  front,  and  the  re- 
sult was  officially  reported  by  him  last  night  in  the  loss  of  five 
hundred  killed  and  wounded,  where  there  was  no  necessity  of 
losing  fifty ! Having  been  repulsed  in  his  first  attempt  Hooker 
tried  to  turn  the  position,  but  in  this  blundered  yet  worse,  for  he 
sent  his  troops  through  the  nearest  gap  in  White  Oak  Ridge,  not 
more  than  half  a mile  distant  from  the  gorge,  where  the  move- 
ment was  fully  visible  to  the  enemy,  and  where  they  had  time 
to  prepare  a destructive  cross-fire,  which  made  this  attack  quite 
as  fatal  as  the  former.  Having  thus  failed  in  this  flank  move- 
ment, in  which  the  Twelfth  Missouri  lost  nearly  all  its  officers, 
he  sent  Geary’s  troops  again  at  the  front,  and  finally  carried  it 
by  Geary’s  New  York  regiments  of  Slocum’s  men.”68 


CHAPTER  XXX 

Discipline.  Guerrillas.  Reinlisting  Veterans 

General  Geary,  with  his  division  of  Slocum’s  men,  left  Ring- 
gold,  Georgia,  December  1st,  and  marched  to  Chattanooga,  where 
they  were  shown  special  honor  two  days  later  in  a review  by 
Major-Generals  U.  S.  Grant,  G.  PI.  Thomas,  M.  C.  Hunter,  Daniel 
Butterfield,  and  others,  who  were  accompanied  by  a large  caval- 
cade of  staff  officers.  General  Geary  and  his  command  were  in 
fairly  good  physical  condition  considering  the  severe  work  and 
strain  of  mind  and  body  of  the  preceding  ten  days.  With  their 
shaved  faces,  new  uniforms,  and  arms  all  in  excellent  condition, 
they  won  high  commendation  for  the  precision  of  their  march- 
ings and  evolutions.  They  soon  returned  to  their  former  encamp- 
ment in  Lookout  Valley. 

Charges  were  here  made  against  a member  of  one  of  the 
Pennsylvania  regiments  of  gross  unsoldierly  conduct  by  robbing 
the  clothing  of  the  dead  on  the  battle-field  of  Lookout  Mountain. 
He  was  accorded  a fair  trial  before  a court-martial  which,  upon 


1863 


RETURN  TO  WAUHATCHIE 


177 


due  evidence,  sentenced  him  to  be  dishonorably  discharged  from 
the  army,  and  drummed  out  of  camp.  The  soldiers  now  compris- 
ing the  three  brigades  of  Slocum’s  second  division  were  formed 
in  hollow  square,  and  their  dishonored  comrade  was  marched  to 
the  middle  of  the  square,  and  seated  for  the  barber’s  work  in  the 
punishment.  An  eye  and  ear  witness  described  this  work,  and 
the  parting  as  follows : 4 ‘ General  Geary  approached,  and  a 

scene  followed  which  can  only  be  appreciated  by  those  who  knew 
the  man  [Geary]  and  his  fiery  temper.  He  commenced  an  ad- 
dress to  the  culprit  by  saying  he  was  sorry  any  man  in  his  divi- 
sion, and  especially  from  his  native  State,  had  been  guilty  of  the 
damnable  crime  of  profanation  of  the  dead.  Here  his  temper 
gave  way,  and  then  followed  a tirade  of  invectives,  curses,  abuse, 
and  an  exhibition  that  was  frightful.  The  barber  was  paralyzed, 
the  guards  dumbfounded,  and  the  members  of  the  division,  if  not 
of  heroes,  would  have  taken  to  cover.  The  General,  however, 
must  have  forgotten  himself,  for  he  did  not  boot  the  man,  who 
looked  disappointed  at  the  omission.  When  this  diatribe  was 
over,  the  barber  finished  shaving  the  man’s  head,  and  removed 
his  mustache,  beard,  and  eyebrows.  The  culprit,  led  by  a drum 
and  fife  playing  the  ‘Rogue’s  March’  and  followed  by  the  guards 
with  ‘charge  bayonets,’  was  then  marched  up  and  down  the 
division  lines  weeping  like  a child.  The  men  were  encouraged 
to  jeer  when  the  procession  passed,  but  they  remained  silent. 
When  the  march  was  over  the  culprit,  like  the  ‘scape  goat’  of 
old  bearing  the  sins  of  the  nation,  was  let  loose  in  the  wilderness 
of  Wauliatchie  and  he  was  never  heard  of  afterward.”63  The 
reader  may  remember,  in  extenuation,  that  Geary’s  sensibilities 
were  yet  exceedingly  sensitive  from  the  loss  of  his  son  in  the 
Battle  of  Wauliatchie. 

Early  in  December,  the  60th  and  the  149th  New  York  Vol- 
unteer Infantry  Regiments  marched  to  General  Hooker’s  head- 
quarters accompanied  by  General  Geary  and  Colonel  Henry  A. 
Barnum  who,  in  short  addresses,  presented  the  six  flags  captured 
from  the  enemy  by  this  division  on  Lookout  Mountain  and  atRing- 
gold,  these  being  the  only  colors  captured  in  these  engagements. 
Major-General  Butterfield,  Chief  of  Staff,  received  the  flags,  and 
complimented  the  work  of  the  division  highly.  In  recognition  of 
the  valuable  services  of  Colonel  Barnum  and  his  149th  New  York 


12 


178 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1863 


Regiment  lie  was  deputized  to  take  the  flags  to  the  War  Depart- 
ment in  Washington,  with  permission  to  exhibit  them  in  the  prin- 
cipal cities  along  the  way. 

The  term  of  enlistment  of  many  regiments  was  about  to  ex- 
pire, and  the  work  of  reorganization  was  now  begun.  During 
December  twenty  regiments  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  re- 
inlisted  as  Veteran  Volunteers.  All  of  the  old  regiments  of 
Major-General  Slocum’s  1st  Division  of  the  XII  Corps  reinlisted 
and,  up  to  January  1st,  the  following  named  regiments  reinlisted 
in  Slocum’s  Second  Division,  viz.:  The  60th,  78tli  and  102nd 
New  York  Volunteer  Infantry;  the  29tli  and  60th  Ohio,  and  the 
28th,  29th,  111th  and  147  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry. 

General  Slocum’s  first  division  remained  in  control  of  the 
Nashville  and  Chattanooga  Railway,  mainly  from  Murfreesbor- 
ough.  Tennessee,  to  Stevenson,  Alabama,  for  some  length  of  time, 
and  then  his  extended  line  was  contracted  on  the  north  to  Bell- 
buckle. 

After  the  Union  victories  about  Chattanooga  and  northern 
Georgia,  bushwhackers  and  guerrillas  became  more  numerous 
again,  and  more  insinuating  by  connivance  with  many  of  the  old 
residents  through  the  country  near  the  railway  who  joined  the 
annoying  force  as  ‘rangers.’  Between  7 and  8 o’clock  in  the 
evening  of  December  23rd,  a United  States  wagon  became  de- 
tached from  a foraging  train  within  a mile  and  a half  of  the 
village  of  Mulberry,  Lincoln  County,  Tennessee,  and  the  officer 
in  command  of  the  foraging  party,  First  Lieutenant  Porter, 
Company  A,  27th  Indiana  Volunteers,  the  teamster,  wagon-mas- 
ter, and  two  other  soldiers  who  had  been  sent  to  load  the  train 
(the  last  named  four  unarmed)  were  captured  by  guerrillas  who 
started  with  their  captives  for  the  Elk  River  by  a way  to  avoid 
meeting  any  comrades  of  the  captured.  About  one  o’clock  in  the 
morning  the  party  halted  on  bank  of  the  Elk,  the  prisoners  being 
told  they  were  going  into  camp  for  the  night.  They  submitted 
to  the  tieing  of  their  hands  behind  them ; but  they  did  not  sub- 
mit so  quietly  while  being  robbed  of  everything  of  value,  and 
while  being  aligned  a few  paces  distant  as  targets  for  their  cap- 
tors,  all  of  whom  immediately  shot  at  them.  One  was  instantly 
killed  by  ball  through  his  head,  and  three  were  wounded.  Lieu- 
tenant Porter,  not  being  wounded,  ran,  was  closely  followed,  was 


.1863 


PUNISHMENT  OF  SAVAGE  ENEMY 


179 


fired  upon  and,  jumping  over  a precipitous  bank  into  the  river, 
succeeded  in  getting  his  hands  loose,  and  by  great  exertion  and 
exposure  in  the  cold  evaded  his  pursuers  and  finally  met  friends 
who  took  him  to  Tullalioma  in  a critical  condition.  The  wounded 
wrere  thrown  into  the  river  thus  completing  the  murder  of  three : 
Newell  E.  Orcutt  of  the  Ninth  Independent  Battery  Ohio  Vol- 
unteer Artillery,  John  W.  Drought  of  Company  H,  and  George 
W.  Jacobs  of  Company  D,  22nd  Wisconsin  Volunteers.  The 
other  wounded  man,  James  W.  Foley  of  the  Ninth  Independent 
Battery  Ohio  Volunteer  Artillery,  succeeded  in  getting  his  hands 
free  in  the  river,  although  severely  wounded,  and  was  finally 
picked  lip  by  his  comrades. 

These  barbarous  acts  were  at  once  reported  to  General  Slo- 
cum with  the  names  of  the  guerrillas  suspected  of  committing  the 
crime;  also  the  names  of  citizens  sympathizing  with  them  and 
harboring  them.  Slocum  ordered  all  of  these  people,  who  could 
be  found,  placed  in  arrest,  and  he  reported  all  the  names  and 
circumstances  to  General  Thomas,  who  also  acted  promptly.  He 
assessed  all  Confederate  sympathizers  living  within  a circuit  of 
ten  miles  of  the  place  where  these  men  were  captured,  according 
to  their  wealth  to  make  up  a sum  to  be  divided  in  ten  thousand 
dollar  portions  to  the  widow  of  John  W.  Drought  of  North  Cape, 
Racine  County,  Wisconsin,  for  the  support  of  herself  and  two 
children;  to  the  widow  of  George  W.  Jacobs,  of  Delevan,  Wal- 
■worth  County,  Wisconsin,  for  the  support  of  herself  and  one 
child;  and  the  third  ten  thousand  dollars  to  be  divided  between 
the  aged  mother  and  sister,  of  Newell  E.  Orcutt  of  Burton, 
Geauga  County,  Ohio.  General  Thomas’s  General  Orders  Num- 
ber 6,  also  provided  for  the  punishment  of  the  murderers  and 
their  sympathizers.  These  orders  also  include  the  statement  that 
“Major-General  H.  W.  Slocum,  United  States  Volunteers,  com- 
manding XHth  Army  Corps,  is  charged  with  the  execution  of 
this  order”  of  collecting  and  distributing  the  pecuniary  penalty: 
These  orders  also  provided  for  the  execution  of  the  murderers 
when  caught,  and  for  arrest  and  trial  by  military  commission  of 
those  who  aided,  abetted,  or  harbored  these  guerrillas.  Several 
of  the  latter  had  already  been  arrested  by  order  of  General  Slo- 
cum. As  in  all  other  of  his  undertakings,  Slocum  was  a success- 
ful] collector  of  General  Thomas’s  assessment,  much  of  the 


180 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


18G4 


amount  being  paid  in  gold  and,  February  16th,  lie  reported  a 
surplus  of  $5,654.57  in  his  possession  therefrom,  it  resulting  from 
unexpected  sources  and  from  higher  price  than  expected  for 
cotton  sold.  This  surplus  was  divided,  $2,500  each,  between  the 
families  of  two  soldiers  of  the  150th  New  York  Volunteer  In- 
fantry who  were  killed  by  guerrillas  a few  days  before  Slocum’s 
report ; and  the  $654.57  was  divided  between  certain  persons  who 
should  not  have  been  assessed,  and  those  who  assisted  in  the 
collection.  Colonel  John  H.  Ketcliam  was  deputized  to  take  the 
amounts  to  the  New  York  families,  and  Captain  W.  W.  Moseley 
to  deliver  the  amounts  to  the  Wisconsin  families. 

The  first  days  of  January,  General  Slocum  directed  General 
Geary  to  send  one  regiment  of  his  second  division  from  Lookout 
Valley  to  Stevenson,  Alabama,  and  three  regiments  strong  to 
Bridgeport  for  defensive  duty  along  the  intervening  railway 
line. 

On  January  11th,  Brigadier-General  Joseph  F.  Knipe,  then 
in  command  of  Major-General  Slocum’s  1st  Division  of  the  Xlltli 
Corps,  with  headcpiarters  at  Tullahoma,  Tennessee,  reported  the 
condition  of  the  defenses  of  the  division  practically  as  follows : 
A redoubt  one  mile  south  of  Bellbuckle,  Tennessee,  and  one  at 
Tank,  two  and  a half  miles  north  of  Wartrace,  were  completed. 
The  former  was  garrisoned  by  two  companies  and  the  latter  by 
one  company  of  the  107th  New  York  Volunteers.  The  stockade 
at  Wartrace  was  not  completed,  the  force  there  being  inadecpiate 
for  the  work.  The  other  defenses  at  that  point  were  completed 
and  garrisoned  by  80  men  of  the  3rd  Wisconsin  and  one  com- 
pany of  the  107th  New  York  Volunteers.  Rations  and  supplies 
at  all  of  these  places  were  sufficient  for  seven  days. 

Defenses  at  the  bridges  one  mile  south  of  Wartrace  were 
completed,  and  the  garrison  of  two  companies  of  the  140th  New 
York  Volunteers  had  over  one  week’s  ration  and  supplies  in 
hand.  The  railway  tanks,  at  Duck  River  and  two  miles  south, 
were  inside  the  defenses  with  rations  and  supplies  for  ten  days. 
In  the  garrison  at  the  former  point  there  were  nine  companies 
of  the  13th  New  Jersey  Volunteers  and  at  the  latter  one  company 
of  the  same  regiment.  A stockade  at  Normandy  and  a blockhouse 
two  miles  south  were  completed;  the  former  was  garrisoned  by 
seven  companies  and  the  latter  by  one  company  of  the  150th 


1864 


EFFORTS  TO  PLEASE  THE  CITIZENS 


181 


New  York  Regiment.  The  defenses  at  Tullahoma  were  sufficient 
and  well  garrisoned.  This  point  had  a large  supply  of  rations  in 
the  commissary  depot.  The  post  at  Elk  River,  and  one  at  the 
railway  tank  one  mile  north  of  the  river,  were  garrisoned  by 
about  160  men,  five  companies  of  their  comrades  of  the  2nd 
Massachusetts  Regiment  being  then  on  furlough  as  reinlisted 
Veteran  Volunteers.  The  above  mentioned  garrisons  were  all  of 
the  Illrd  Brigade,  1st  Division  of  the  XII  Corps.  The  1st  Bri- 
gade was  mainly  stationed  at  Decherd  and  Cowan  in  ample  de- 
fenses. The  garrison  at  Tantalon  had  been  recently  changed  by 
substituting  the  20th  Connecticut  Volunteer  Infantry  for  the 
145th  New  York  whose  term  of  enlistment  had  expired.  The 
artillery  remained  at  Stevenson  and  Bridgeport,  Alabama,  with 
the  Infantry  of  the  Ilnd  Division. 

The  soldiers,  who  were  not  well  protected  against  inclement 
weather  in  blockhouse  or  other  fortification,  built  for  themselves 
log  cabins  that  well  served  their  purpose. 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

Social  Amenities.  Goes  to  Vicksburg 

Shelbyville,  Tennessee,  though  not  on  the  main  line  of  rail- 
way, was  a county  capitol  and  one  of  the  largest  towns  subject 
to  Confederate  raids  and  despoliation.  The  107th  New  York 
Volunteer  Infantry  was  sent  to  protect  this  city  and  it  was  there 
well  received,  and  the  soldiers  vied  with  the  citizens  in  making 
their  sojourn  pleasant  to  each  other.  The  soldiers  were  invited 
to  parties  and  dances;  and  they  prevailed  upon  their  brigade 
commander,  General  Thomas  IT.  Ruger,  for  a visit  of  their  bri- 
gade band  of  music,  which  pleased  the  people  very  much.  Major- 
General  Slocum,  with  headquarters  then  at  Tullahoma,  was  also 
prevailed  upon  to  attend  one  of  the  social  meetings  and  he,  with 
his  staff  officers,  had  a pleasant  evening.  It  is  probable,  how- 
ever, that  some  guerrillas  and  other  plotters  took  advantage  of  the 
fraternal  feeling  thus  engendered  to  forward  their  schemes ; but 
they  had  run  their  course;  General  Slocum  having  learned 
more  of  them  during  his  visit  to  Shelbyville. 

The  Abstract  of  the  returns  of  the  Department  and  Army 


182 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


of  the  Cumberland  for  the  month  of  January,  shows  the  strength 
of  the  Xlltli  Army  Corps  as  follows : 

General  Slocum’s  headquarters  at  Tullahoma,  present  for 
duty,  13  officers  and  150  enlisted  men ; aggregate  present  232. 

His  1st  Division,  headquarters  also  at  Tullahoma,  present 
for  duty  176  officers  and  4,734  men;  aggregate  present  and  ab- 
sent 7,469  men,  and  20  pieces  of  field  artillery. 

The  Ilnd  Division,  headquarters  at  Bridgeport,  Alabama, 
present  for  duty  43  officers  and  1,810  enlisted  men;  aggregate 
present  and  absent  7,318  men,  with  ten  pieces  of  artillery. 

Total  present,  and  absent  in  field  hospitals,  home  on  sick,  or 
other  furlough,  and  detached  for  special  duty,  232  officers  and 
15,019  men,  with  30  pieces  of  artillery. 

Inasmuch  as  General  Slocum  was  not  reporting  to  General 
Hooker,  who  was  yet  nominally  his  commanding  general,  the 
following  historical  document  was  addressed  to  General  Thomas ’s 
headquarters.  It  shows  the  injustice  that  had  been,  and  was  yet 
being,  done  to  Slocum ; and  that  he  was  not  at  this  time  the  only 
commander  dissatisfied  with  the  order  of  things  then  prevailing, 
namely : 

Headquarters  Twelfth  Corps, 
Tullahoma,  Term.,  February  2,  1864. 
Brig.  Gen.  William  D.  Whipple,  Gen.  G.  H.  Thomas’s 

Chief  of  Staff,  Hdqrs.  Department  of  the  Cumberland. 

General  : Believing  that  the  organization  known  as  the  Eleventh 
and  Twelfth  Corps,  now  under  command  of  Maj.  Gen.  Joseph  Hooker,  was 
not  designed  by  His  Excellency  the  President  to  be  a permanent  organiza- 
tion, and  being  convinced  by  the  instructions  given  by  him  to  General 
Roseerans,  then  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  that  it  was 
not  his  design  or  desire  that  the  Twelfth  Corps  should  in  any  event  con- 
tinue a part  of  the  organization,  I desire  respectfully  to  call  the  attention 
of  the  commanding  general  to  the  subject.  I think  the  only  instance  in  any 
army  of  the  United  States  in  which  an  officer  has  occupied  a position 
intermediate  between  that  of  corps  commander  and  the  commanding  gen- 
eral of  the  army,  occurred  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  which  by  order  of 
General  Burnside  was  organized  into  what  were  termed  grand  divisions, 
consisting  of  two  corps  each;  which  grand  divisions  were  commanded  by 
the  senior  general  officers  present  with  the  army.  The  order  constituting 
these  divisions  specified  the  powers  intrusted  to  their  respective  com- 
manders. (General  Orders,  No.  184,  headquarters  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
November  14,  1862). 69 

After  an  experience  of  less  than  two  months,  General  Hooker,  then 
commanding  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  discontinued  this  organization, 


1864 


LABORING  UNDER  IMPOSITION 


183 


announcing  in  paragraph  I,  General  Orders  No.  6,  headquarters  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  February  5,  1863 : ‘ The  division  of  the  army  into  ‘ grand 

divisions’  impeding  rather  than  facilitating  the  dispatch  of  its  current 
business,  and  the  character  of  the  service  it  is  liable  to  be  called  upon  to 
perform  being  adverse  to  the  movement  and  operations  of  heavy  columns, 
it  is  discontinued,  and  the  corps  organization  is  adopted  in  its  stead.  ’ 

If  the  fact  that  the  appointment  of  a commander  to  a position  inter- 
mediate between  that  of  corps  commander  and  the  general  commanding 
the  army,  he  being  authorized  by  the  War  Department  to  take  final  action 
on  certain  matters  previously  referred  to  the  commanding  general,  had  a 
tendency  to  ‘ impede  rather  than  facilitate  business  ’ I respectfully  submit 
that  the  appointment  of  a commander  to  a similar  position  without  author- 
izing him  to  take  final  action  on  any  matters  cannot  tend  very  strongly  to 
expedite  current  business. 

But  whatever  may  be  thought  of  the  expediency  of  the  system  of 
organizations  of  this  character,  it  cannot  be  denied  that,  if  adopted,  it 
should  be  general.  As  the  matter  now  stands,  although  I am  senior  in 
rank  and  have  served  in  the  capacity  of  corps  commander  for  a longer 
period  than  any  officer  in  command  of  a corps  in  this  army,  yet  so  far  as 
communicating  with  the  general  commanding  the  army  is  concerned,  I am 
in  precisely  the  position  held  by  a division  commander  of  other  corps. 

If  the  general  commanding  does  not  feel  authorized  to  make  any 
change  in  the  organization  of  the  army,  so  as  to  place  me  in  a position 
similar  to  that  held  by  other  corps  commanders,  I respectfully  request 
that  this  communication  may  be  forwarded,  together  with  a copy  of  the 
letter  from  his  Excellency  to  General  Bosecrans,  to  which  reference  is  made. 

Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  Slocum, 

Major-General  of  Volunteers,  Commanding. 

This  communication  was  referred  to  General  Thomas  who 
sent  it  to  General  Hooker  who  endorsed  it  in  Lookout  Valley, 
‘Respectfully  forwarded,  with  the  request  that  it  be  referred  to 
the  War  Department’  and  he  returned  it  to  General  Thomas 
who  endorsed  it  ‘Respectfully  fordwarded  through  headquarters 
Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi.  ’ Upon  its  being  read  by 
General  Grant,  he  appended  his,  the  third,  endorsement  which 
was  as  follows : 

Headquarters  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi, 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  February  9,  1864. 

^Respectfully  forwarded  and  attention  invited  to  General  Slocum ’s 
statement. 

The  position  occupied  by  General  Hooker  is  embarrassing  to  the  service, 
and  I think  injurious.  I am  inclined  rather  to  recommend  that  the 
Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Corps  be  filled  up  from  new  levies  to  having  them 


184 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


consolidated,  but  what  to  do  with  General  Hooker  is  the  question.  I have 
no  command  to  give  him  at  present.  While  the  States  north  of  the  Ohio 
were  in  my  command  I recommended  that  they  be  called  one  district  and 
General  Hooker  placed  in  command.  They  are  now  a separate  department. 

U.  S.  Grant, 
Major-General.70 

General  Slocum’s  letter,  bearing  its  several  endorsements, 
on  being  received  in  Washington  was  handed  to  Major-General 
H.  W.  Halleck,  General-in-Chief  of  all  the  armies.  He  replied 
to  General  Grant,  acknowledging  its  receipt  and  stating  that  it 
had  been  submitted  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  with  the  closing 
sentence  that  “This  arrangement  having  been  made  directly  by 
the  President,  I have  no  authority  to  effect  any  change” — and 
he  might  as  well  have  added,  neither  has  the  Secretary  of  War. 
However,  preparations  were  being  made  for  a decided  change  in 
general  and  in  particular,  that  pleased  President  Lincoln. 

All  of  the  principal  Confederate  commanders  were  com- 
missioned lieutenant-generals,  each  independent  of  the  others 
and  all  outranking  the  major-generals.  The  United  States  had 
had  but  one  lieutenant-general,  George  Washington,  the  commis- 
sion of  Winfield  Scott  as  such  reading  by  brevet.  March  1st,  the 
Congress  revived  this  title  for  the  commander  of  all  the  armies 
of  the  United  States.  President  Lincoln  at  once  approved,  and 
nominated  Ulysses  S.  Grant  for  the  place,  and  the  Senate  con- 
firmed the  appointment  the  next  day.  This  law,  with  its  neces- 
sary general  adjustments,  was  promulgated  by  the  War  Depart- 
ment March  12th,  announcing  that  Major-General  H.  W.  Hal- 
leck was  relieved  from  duty  as  General-in-Chief  at  his  own  re- 
quest and  that  Lieutenant-General  U.  S.  Grant  was  assigned  to 
the  command  of  the  armies,  with  headquarters  in  Washington 
and,  also,  with  him  in  the  field.  Hallack  was  assigned  to  duty 
in  Washington  as  Chief  of  Grant’s  Staff. 

Major-General  William  T.  Sherman  was  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi,  composed 
of  the  Departments  of  the  Ohio,  the  Cumberland,  the  Tennessee, 
and  the  Arkansas,  this  vacancy  resulting  from  the  promotion  of 
Grant.  Major-General  James  D.  McPherson  was  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  Department,  and  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  previ- 
ously held  by  Sherman. 


1864  PREPARATIONS  FOR  ATLANTA  CAMPAIGN  185 


General  Grant  issued  his  General  Orders  Number  One  from 
Nashville,  March  17tli,  assuming  command  of  the  armies  of  the 
United  States,  with  headquarters  in  the  field  and,  until  further 
orders,  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  All  communications  to 
him  except  those  from  the  army,  were  to  be  sent  to  the  office 
headquarters,  Washington,  District  of  Columbia. 

Reports  of  the  enemy  becoming  more  active  in  many  places, 
General  Slocum’s  scouts  ranged  to  the  Sequatchie  Valley,  from 
the  way  of  LaFayette,  Georgia,  to  the  southward,  and  they 
found  no  material  indications  of  the  enemy.  General  Slocum 
also  sent  scouts  in  different  directions,  and  made  personal  visits 
to  the  parts  of  the  railway  under  his  immediate  command,  and 
he  was  thereby  enabled  to  report  directly  to  General  Grant 
February  27th,  that  the  fords  were  well  guarded,  the  field  works 
were  well  garrisoned,  and  all  parts  of  the  line  were  in  good 
condition.  The  general  report  of  his  Xllth  Corps  for  February 
was  but  little  different  from  that  of  January. 

In  the  meantime  work  had  been  in  progress  preparatory  to 
advancing  on  the  Atlanta  Campaign.  Hundreds  of  men  were 
at  work  repairing  the  railway  from  Chattanooga  to  Ringgold. 
At  this  time  Slocum  was  asked  to  send  ‘a  brigade  in  numbers 
if  not  in  organization’  to  the  defense  of  the  Columbia  and  De- 
catur railway,  Tennessee,  against  Confederate  General  N.  B. 
Forrest’s  men.  March  18th  Slocum’s  XHtli  Corps  was  therefore, 
reported  in  detachments  stationed  at  Fort  Donelson,  Clarksville, 
Gallatin,  Nashville,  and  along  the  Nashville  and  Chattanooga 
railway  as  far  south  as  Bridgeport,  Alabama.  This  same  day 
General  Geary  reported  to  Slocum  that  he  had  just  returned 
from  a reeonnoissance  to  Trenton,  Alabama,  and  southward  with- 
out learning  of  any  gathering  or  special  activity  of  the  enemy 
in  that  direction.  He  had  captured  six  Confederate  soldiei’s  who 
had  separated  from  Cleburne’s  division. 

On  March  24th  Slocum  was  directed  by  Thomas,  who  was  yet 
at  Chattanooga,  to  come  to  the  front  with  all  of  his  command  not 
needed  for  garrison  duty  at  Nashville,  Murfreesborough,  and  at 
blockhouses  further  south.  The  30th  General  Slocum  was  yet 
at  Tullahoma,  his  headquarters,  and  he  was  informed  that  Col- 
onel J.  B.  Weaver,  commanding  the  post  at  Pulaski,  Tennessee, 
was  ordered  to  send  the  Confederate  Lieutenant  Mosely  and  all 


186 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


of  his  company  of  General  Nathan  B.  Forrest’s  scouts,  who  had 
been  captured,  under  strong  guard  to  Slocum  by  rail,  by  way  of 
Nashville.  Mosely  was  wounded,  but  surgeon  March  reported 
him  able  to  travel.  The  report  of  Slocum’s  Xlltli  Army  Corps 
for  March  showed  a small  increase  in  number  over  previous 
months. 

Lieutenant-General  Grant  assigned  Major-General  Slocum 
April  4th,  to  command  the  fortified  post  and  District  of  Vicks- 
burg, Mississippi,  he  to  report  to  Major-General  James  B.  Mc- 
Pherson whose  headquarters  for  the  time  were  at  Huntsville, 
Alabama.  This  appointment  was  made  while  Grant  was  in 
Washington  and  by  the  consent  if  not  by  the  direction  of  Presi- 
dent Lincoln. 

In  Sherman’s  communication  to  McPherson  April  6th  he 
wrote  that  ‘ Slocum  will  be  a good  commander  for  Vicksburg  and 
Natchez.’  McPherson  replied  the  8th  ‘I  think  the  assignment  of 
Major-General  Slocum  to  the  command  of  the  District  of  Vicks- 
burg an  excellent  arrangement.’  In  another  communication  to 
McPherson  the  11th  of  April,  Sherman  told  more  of  the  motive 
of  Slocum ’s  appointment  as  follows : ‘ 4 Slocum ’s  assignment  to 
Vicksburg  was  made  at  Grant’s  [and  he  might  have  added,  Lin- 
coln’s] suggestion.  I did  name  Newton,  having  in  mind  his 
engineering  qualities,  but  Grant  feared  Newton  might  entertain 
a natural  prejudice  against  the  negro  element  which  will  here- 
after enter  so  largely  into  the  means  of  defense  to  the  Mississippi 
River.  ’ ’ 

The  communications  between  Sherman  and  McPherson  were 
frank  and  cordial.  A letter  from  Sherman  about  this  time  states 
that  their  great  problem  in  hand  was  to  defeat  Confederate  Gen- 
eral Joseph  E.  Johnston  which  required  a ‘surplus’  of  their  best 
troops  on  the  line  of  the  Tennessee.  When  Johnston  was  de- 
feated more  attention  could  be  given  to  the  Mississippi.  This 
condition  foreboded  no  easy  task  to  General  Slocum. 

The  evening  of  April  7th  the  officers  of  the  different  regi- 
ments on  duty  at  Tullahoma,  with  the  brigade  band,  marched  to 
General  Slocum’s  headquarters  to  show  their  great  regard  for 
him,  and  to  express  regrets  for  his  departure  from  them.  They 
were  made  welcome  by  Slocum,  and  the  freedom  of  the  house 
and  grounds  was  extended  to  them.  Colonel  William  Cogswell, 


1864 


GOES  TO  VICKSBURG.  FAREWELL 


187 


of  the  2nd  Massachusetts  Regiment,  made  a warm  address,  and 
General  Slocum  replied  in  kind. 

General  Slocum  voiced  his  regard  for  his  command  two  days 
later,  as  follows: 

Headquarters  Twelfth  Army  Corps, 

Tullahoma,  Term.,  April  9,  1864. 

General  Orders,  No.  7. 

By  virtue  of  General  Orders,  No.  5,  Headquarters  Military  Division  of 
the  Mississippi,  the  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Corps  are  consolidated,  and  will 
hereafter  compose  the  First  [later  changed  to  the  Twentieth]  Army  Corps. 

The  official  history  of  the  Twelfth  Army  Corps,  from  its  organization 
to  the  present  day,  and  particularly  its  action  at  Antietam,  Chancellors- 
ville,  Gettysburg,  and  its  recent  services  in  the  Department  of  the  Cumber- 
land, justifies  every  soldier  in  the  indulgence  of  a feeling  of  pride  from 
his  connection  with  it  and  of  regret  at  the  loss  of  the  insignia  by  which 
the  corps  has  been  distinguished,  and  which  has  become  a badge  of  honor. 
[The  Twentieth  Corps  succeeded  in  retaining  the  star  as  its  corps  badge]. 

This  consolidation  separates  me  from  the  troops  with  whom  I have 
been  identified  for  the  past  eighteen  months.  I know,  however,  that  the 
measure  has  been  adopted  solely  with  a view  of  promoting  the  interest  of 
the  service,  and  I would  not  have  my  personal  interests  or  feelings,  nor 
those  of  my  command,  considered  for  a moment  against  any  measure  hav- 
ing this  object  in  view. 

The  credit  accorded  to  the  soldier  at  the  present  hour  is  not  his  true 
reward  for  the  privation  and  hardships  he  is  enduring,  nor  does  this  reward 
depend  upon  the  army  or  corps  to  which  he  may  be  attached.  Let  us  bring 
this  contest  to  a successful  termination ; let  us  restore  peace  and  prosperity 
to  the  country.  To  him  who  loves  his  country,  and  the  consciousness  of  the 
fact  that  he  has  borne  his  part  in  the  contest,  and  been  an  instrument  in 
the  accomplishment  of  great  work,  wdll  be  the  highest  and  best  reward  that 
can  be  bestowed  upon  him. 

The  cordial  and  earnest  support  afforded  me  upon  all  occasions  by  the 
officers  of  my  command,  and  the  soldierly  bearing  and  uniform  good  con- 
duct of  the  men,  have  rendered  me  deeply  attached  to  my  corps,  and  I 
leave  it  with  feelings  of  profound  regret. 

H.  W.  Slocum, 

Official:  H.  C.  Bodgers,  Major-General. 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


Badge  of  the 


188 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


CHAPTER  XXXII 

Commands  Vicksburg.  General  Orders 

General  Slocum  reported  to  General  McPherson  April  12th, 
for  duty,  and  then  his  District  of  Vicksburg,  Mississippi,  was 
further  outlined  to  him  as  extending  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Arkansas  River  on  the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi,  and  the 
Tallahatchie  River  on  the  east  side,  down  to  the  Department  of 
the  Gulf.  His  headquarters  were  to  be  at  Vicksburg. 

The  troops  for  his  District  of  Vicksburg  were  nominally 
the  XVIIth  Army  Corps,  which  was  in  various  size  bodies  wide- 
ly separated,  two  divisions  being  at  Cairo,  Illinois.  General 
Slocum  called  on  General  Sherman  at  Nashville  when  on  his  way 
to  Cairo  for  the  purpose  of  getting  into  personal  touch  with  his 
men  and  the  condition  of  affairs  generally.  We  next  learn  of 
him  at  Woodville  in  southern  Mississippi  whence  he  telegraphed 
to  Sherman  April  17tli.  He  then  proceeded  to  Vicksburg,  where 
he  organized  a force  for  advancement  through  the  Yazoo  City 
region,  and  toward  Grenada,  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  the 
sending  of  Confederate  General  Stephen  D.  Lee’s  cavalry  to  the 
northward  to  aid  General  Forrest,  or  to  the  eastward  to  aid 
General  Johnston.  Slocum  also  saw  the  necessity  for  frequent 
excursions  and  demonstrations  in  different  directions,  and  from 
different  stations  of  his  troops.  He  kept  in  communication  with 
the  Marine  Brigade,  and  other  gun  boats  within  and  near  his 
district,  and  he  commanded  their  operations.  Detachments  of 
troops  were  sent  toward  Clinton,  Raymond,  and  other  points 
where  Confederate  troops  and  disaffection,  were  reported,  or 
likely  to  be  found.  From  Natchez,  also,  frequent  detours  were 
made  on  both  sides  of  the  Mississippi. 

General  Slocum  continuously  held  the  line  of  the  Big  Black 
River  from  its  mouth  up  to  Birdsong’s  Ferry  and  thence  across 
to  Haynes’s  Bluff,  which  controlled  the  Yazoo  River  and  its 
vicinity.  Vicksburg  and  Natchez  were  his  principal  stations. 
Small  isolated  bodies  of  troops  were  not  left  long  anywhere  for 
roaming  bodies  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  to  capture. 

General  Slocum  was  also  the  War  Department’s  protector 
of  the  freedmen,  and  particularly  in  their  leasing,  and  working, 
the  plantations  which  had  been  abandoned  by  their  owners,  ac- 


1864 


IMPORTANCE  OF  NEW  COMMAND 


189 


cording  to  the  policy  of  the  United  States  Government.  Of 
course  he  could  consider  this  question,  and  act  for  the  freed- 
men 's  protection,  only  from  the  military  standpoint ; and  he  did 
not  have  sufficient  force  of  soldiers  to  spread  through  the  coun- 
try generally  for  police  work. 

There  were  in  the  larger  towns  of  his  district  not  a few  men 
engaged  in  different  kinds  of  business  who  were  expecting, 
claiming  the  right  of,  protection  by  General  Slocum.  He  de- 
cided they  should  be  organized  into  Home  Guard  companies  with 
United  States  officers  from  his  command,  who  should  regularly 
drill  them  and  hold  them  to  strict  military  discipline  under  him- 
self. Drill  rooms,  caps,  and  blouses  were  provided  and,  later, 
arms  and  other  accouterments  were  provided  those  who  with- 
stood the  tests,  and  remained. 

General  Sherman  sent  notice  to  Slocum  April  21st  that  no 
special  distant  expeditions  need  be  made  by  him  until  he  had 
reason  to  believe  the  main  armies  were  in  motion  against  the 
enemy  when  “all  the  forces  of  the  United  States  should  occupy 
the  detachments  of  the  enemy  as  much  as  possible.”  The  main 
stations  of  General  Slocum’s  XVIIth  Army  Corps  were:  Vicks- 
burg and  Natchez  divisions,  the  1st  with  6,461  white  troops,  and 
the  Ilnd  with  7,775  negro  troops.  The  Illrd  and  IVtli  Divisions, 
each  composed  of  about  6,000  white  troops,  were  temporarily 
rendezvoused  at  Cairo,  Illinois. 

General  Sherman  asked  General  McPherson  April  24th  to 
give  Generals  Slocum  of  Vicksburgh  and  C.  C.  Washburn  of 
Memphis  ‘ ‘ orders  to  seem  most  active ; to  hold  there  all  of  the 
enemy  possible,  even  at  a small  risk  to  the  river ; for  if  we  whip 
•Joe  Johnston  good,  everything  lying  west  will  feel  the  blow.  . . 

The  worst  we  have  to  apprehend  is  that  the  Confederate  General 
Forrest  in  Tennessee  may  come  across  to  act  against  our  right 
flank;  but  this  would  be  prevented  if  Washburn  and  Slocum 
threaten  Grenada,  Mississippi. 

Major-General  Hurlbut  who  was  stationed  at  Cairo  and  was 
supendsing  all  movements  of  troops  from  the  North  against  For- 
rest,-wrote  to  General  Washburn  April  30th  that  by  his  stopping 
the  4th  Iowa  Cavalry  en  route  to  Vicksburg  he  had  exceeded  his 
authority  an^i  probably  crippled  General  Slocum.  The  resource- 
fulness of  Slocum,  however,  enabled  him  to  so  manage  that  the 


]90 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


service  of  his  immediate  command  was  not  particularly  crippled 
by  Mansfield’s  interference. 

At  this  time  the  XVIIth  Army  Corps  was  described  as  fol- 
lows : 

Major-General  Henry  W.  Slocum  at  Vicksburg,  with  the  1st  Division 
under  Brigadier-General  Elias  S.  Dennis,  and  composed  of : 

The  1st  Brigade,  Colonel  E.  A.  Starling;  with  the  72nd  Illinois  regi- 
ment of  Volunteer  Infantry,  Colonel  Joseph  Stockton;  1st  Kansas,  mounted, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Newell  W.  Spicer;  30th  Missouri,  Captain  William  T. 
Wilkinson;  58th  Ohio,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ezra  P.  Jackson.  Ilnd  Brigade, 
Colonel  James  H.  Coates;  with  the  11th  Illinois,  Major  George  C.  McKee; 
95th  Illinois  (on  the  Red  River  Campaign)  Colonel  Thomas  W.  Humphrey; 
14th  Wisconsin,  Colonel  Lyman  M.  Ward. 

Artillery,  Captain  William  H.  Bolton,  with  the  2nd  Illinois  Light,  Bat- 
tery L,  Captain  William  H.  Bolton ; 1st  Missouri  Light,  Battery  M,  Lieu- 
tenant John  H.  Tiemeyer;  Ohio  Light,  7th  Battery,  Lieutenant  Harlow  P. 
McNaughton. 

IVth  Division,  Ilnd  Brigade,  Colonel  Benjamin  Dornblaser;  with  the 
46th  Illinois,  Lieutenant -Colonel  John  J.  Jones;  76tli  Illinois,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Charles  C.  Jones. 

Mississippi  Marine  Brigade,  Brigadier-General  Alfred  W.  Ellet,  with 
1st  Mounted  Regiment,  Colonel  George  E.  Currie;  1st  Cavalry  Battalion, 
Captain  John  R.  Crandall;  Sagebarth’s  Pennsylvania  Battery,  Captain 
Daniel  E.  Walling;  Ram  Fleet,  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  A.  Ellet. 

The  Garrison  of  Vicksburg,  Brigadier-General  Jasper  A.  Maltby;  with 
17th  Illinois,  Major  Frank  F.  Peats;  81st  Illinois,  Lieutenant-Colonel  An- 
drew W.  Rogers,  on  the  Red  River  Campaign;  124th  Illinois,  Colonel  John 
H.  Howe;  7th  Missouri,  Major  William  B.  Collins;  8th  Ohio  Battery,  Cap- 
tain James  F.  Putnam;  26th  Ohio  Battery,  Captain  Theobold  D.  Yost. 

Cavalry:  2nd  Wisconsin,  Colonel  Thomas  Stephens.  Cavalry  Brigade, 
Major  Horace  P.  Mumford;  with  the  5th  Illinois,  Captain  Alexander  S. 
Jessup;  11th  Illinois,  Captain  Thomas  O’Hara;  10th  Missouri,  Captain 
Jeremiah  F.  Young. 

1st  Division,  Negro  troops,  Brigadier-General  John  P.  Hawkins:  1st 
Brigade,  Brigadier-General  Isaac  F.  Shepard,  with  the  46tli  United  States 
Colored  Troops,  Colonel  William  F.  Wood;  48th  U.  S.,  Colonel  Frederick 
M.  Crandall;  49th  U.  S.,  Colonel  Van  E.  Young;  53rd  U.  S.,  Colonel  Or- 
lando C.  Risdon.  Ilnd  Brigade,  also  of  U.  S.  Colored  Troops,  Colonel 
Hiram  Scofield,  with  the  following  regiments:  47th,  Captain  DeWitt  C. 
Wilson;  50th,  Colonel  Charles  A.  Gilchrist;  52nd,  Colonel  George  M.  Ziegler. 

Additional  forces  at  Vicksburg,  also  of  U.  S.  Colored  Troops  were : The 
3rd  Cavalry,  Colonel  Embury  D.  Osband;  2nd  Artillery,  Battery  A,  Captain 
Robert  Ranney;  4th  Heavy  Artillery,  Colonel  Herman  Lieb. 

Forces  at  Goodrich ’s  Landing  and  near,  also  of  U.  S.  Colored  Troops, 
under  Colonel  A.  Watson  Webber:  51st,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Julian  E. 


1864 


COMPOSITION  OF  HIS  COMMANDS 


191 


Bryant;  66th,  Colonel  William  T.  Frohock;  2nd  Light  Artillery,  Battery  B, 
Captain  William  M.  Pratt. 

At  the  Defenses  and  Post  of  Natchez  under  Brigadier-General  James 
M.  Tuttle  were  the  White  Troops,  28th  Illinois,  Major  ITinman  Rhodes ; 
29th  Illinois,  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  A.  Callicott;  the  58th  U.  S.  Colored 
Troops,  Colonel  Simon  M.  Preston;  4th  Illinois  Cavalry,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Martin  M.  R.  Wallace;  2nd  Illinois  Light  Artillery,  Battery  K,  Captain 
William  F.  Rodgers;  5th  U.  S.  Colored  Heavy  Artillery,  Colonel  Bernard 
G.  Farrar. 

IITrd  Division,  Brigadier-General  Mortimer  D.  Leggett:  Tst  Bri- 
gade, Brigadier-General  Manning  F.  Force;  with  the  20th  Illinois,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Daniel  Bradley;  31st  Illinois,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Robert  N. 
Pearson;  45th  Illinois,  Major  John  O.  Duer,  Ilnd  Brigade,  Colonel  Robert 
K.  Scott;  with  the  20th  Ohio,  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  C.  Fry;  32nd  Ohio, 
Colonel  Benjamin  F.  Potts;  68th  Ohio,  Lieutenant-Colonel  George  E. 
Welles;  78th  Ohio,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Greenberry  F.  Wiles.  Additional 
part  of  Illrd  Brigade  Artillery,  Major  Thomas  D.  Maurice;  with  1st  Illi- 
nois Light,  Battery  D,  Lieutenant  George  P.  Cunningham;  1st  Michigan 
Light,  Battery  H,  Lieutenant  William  Justin;  1st  Missouri  Light,  Battery 
C,  Captain  John  L.  Matthaei;  Ohio  Light,  3rd  Battery,  Lieutenant  John 
Sullivan.  Cavalry,  2nd  Wisconsin,  Company  II,  Lieutenant  Charles  Doer- 
flinger. 

IVth  Division,  Brigadier-General  Marcellus  M.  Crocker:  1st  Brigade, 
Brigadier-General  Thomas  Kilby  Smith,  on  the  Red  River  Campaign:  41st 
Illinois,  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  H.  Nale;  53rd  Illinois,  on  Veteran  fur- 
lough. Lieutenant-Colonel  John  W.  McClanahan;  3rd  Iowa,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  James  Tullis;  33rd  Wisconsin,  Colonel  Jonathan  B.  Moore.  Illrd 
Brigade,  Brigadier-General  Walter  Q.  Gresham;  with  the  32nd  Illinois, 
Colonel  John  Logan ; 23rd  Indiana,  Colonel  William  L.  Sanderson ; 53rd 
Indiana,  Lieutenant-Colonel  William  Jones;  12th  Wisconsin,  Colonel  George 
E.  Bryant.  Artillery,  Captain  Edmund  Spear,  with  the  2nd  Illinois  Light, 
Battery  F,  Lieutenant  Richard  Osborne;  Minnesota  Light  1st  Battery,  Cap- 
tain William  Z.  Clayton ; Ohio  Light,  10th  Battery,  Lieutenant  William  J. 
Mong;  Ohio  Light,  15th  Battery,  Lieutenant  James  Burdick.  Cavalry:  11th 
Illinois,  Company  G,  Lieutenant  James  M.  Gregory. 

Total  XVIIth  Army  Corps:  Present  for  duty,  862  officers,  18,684  en- 
listed men.  Aggregate  present,  24,022.  Aggregate  present  and  absent, 
38,768.  Artillery,  79  pieces.72 

From  the  first  of  General  Slocum’s  experience  at  Vicksburg 
he  was  annoyed  by  the  desire  of  people  from  all  parts  of  the 
country  to  roam  everywhere,  intent  on  business  of  all  kinds, 
much  of  which  he  thought  improper.  Many  of  these  people  were 
too  bold,  and  Slocum  issued  his  General  Orders,  Number  Four, 
for  the  benefit  or  protection  of  all  wrortliy  persons  and  for  the 
discipline  or  banishment  of  others,  which  reads  as  follows : 


192 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


Headquarters  District  of  Vicksburg, 

Vicksburg,  Miss.,  May  5,  1864. 

General  Orders,  No.  4. 

I.  No  persons  except  those  in  the  employ  of  the  United  States  Gov- 
ernment, and  loyal  citizens,  or  those  who  have  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance, 
will  hereafter  be  permitted  to  pass  the  picket-lines  at  any  post  within  this 
district. 

II.  No  goods  or  merchandise  of  any  kind  will  hereafter  be  allowed 
to  pass  outside  the  lines,  except  the  necessary  supplies  for  planters  working 
lands  leased  from  the  United  States,  and  limited  quantities  to  citizens  who 
have  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance.  No  citizen  will  be  allowed  to  take  out 
supplies  for  any  person  except  himself  and  his  immediate  family,  and  in 
no  case  will  more  than  thirty  days  ’ supplies  be  taken  out. 

III.  The  provost-marshal  at  every  post  will  keep  an  accurate  record 
of  every  pass  granted,  and  of  all  permits  approved  by  himself,  or  the  post 
commander.  Books  for  this  purpose  will  be  supplied  by  the  quartermas- 
ter’s department  and  the  records  will  be  kept  open  for  the  inspection  of  any 
officer  of  the  government,  at  all  hours  between  8 a.  m.  and  6 p.  M.  A rec- 
ord will  be  kept  by  the  officers  of  the  picket-line  of  all  passes  and  permits 
presented,  which  record  will  be  compared  with  that  of  the  provost-marshal, 
and  any  discrepancy  will  at  once  be  reported. 

IV.  All  trade  stores  within  the  district  at  points  not  garrisoned  by  at 
least  one  regiment  of  troops  will  at  once  be  discontinued.  No  goods  or 
merchandise  will  be  landed  at  any  point  on  the  river  within  the  limits  of 
the  district  which  is  not  garrisoned  by  troops,  except  necessary  supplies  for 
planters  working  land  leased  from  the  government,  in  which  case  the  goods 
may  be  landed  under  cover  of  a gun-boat  at  the  nearest  practicable  point 
to  the  plantation. 

V.  All  boats  ladened  with  merchandise  detected  in  landing  in  violation 
of  the  order  wTill  be  seized  and  brought  to  this  post. 

VI.  All  persons  charged  with  the  duties  of  imposing  taxes  on  citizens, 
or  of  seizing  property  for  the  government,  will  keep  an  account  of  all  such 
transactions,  specifying  the  persons  from  whom  the  money  or  property  was 
received  and  the  disposition  made  of  it.  This  account  will  be  kept  open 
for  the  inspection  of  any  officer  of  the  government,  or  of  any  citizen  who 
has  been  taxed,  or  from  whom  property  has  been  taken. 

VII.  No  Government  wagon,  transport,  or  vessel  of  any  kind  will  be 
used  in  bringing  cotton  or  other  stores  to  market,  except  in  cases  where  such 
stores  have  been  seized  for  the  Government. 

VIII.  All  clerks  and  citizen  employes  in  every  department  whose  ser- 
vices are  not  absolutely  necessary  will  at  once  be  discharged. 

IX.  No  rations  will  be  issued,  nor  property  of  any  kind  transferred 
to  citizens  to  reimburse  them  for  losses  sustained  by  the  operations  of  the 
war.  The  persons  to  whom  damages  are  to  be  paid,  and  the  amounts  due, 
are  questions  which  no  military  officer  is  authorized  to  adjust. 

X.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  person  in  the  employ  of  the  Government 


1864 


HISTORIC  GENERAL  ORDERS 


193 


and  of  every  loyal  citizen  to  aid  in  the  correction  of  all  evils.  Any  prac- 
tice on  the  part  of  either  civil  or  military  officers  or  citizens  which  tends  to 
aid  the  enemy  or  defraud  or  injure  the  Government  should  he  promptly 
reported,  and  sustained  by  such  proof  as  will  aid  the  commanding  general 
to  correct  the  evil,  and  bring  the  guilty  parties  to  punishment. 

By  command  of  Maj.  Gen.  H.  W.  Slocum. 

H.  C.  Rodgers, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 

Thorough  Work  in  Vicksburg.  Harassments 

By  command  of  General  Slocum,  May  6th,  the  names  of  the 
members  of  his  staff  were  officially  announced  to  all  of  the  several 
parts  of  his  command  throughout  the  District  of  Vicksburg, 
namely : Colonel  Herman  Lieb,  chief  of  artillery  and  ord- 
nance ; Lieutenant-Colonel  S.  H.  Sturdevant,  chief  commissary 
of  subsistence;  Surgeon  George  S.  Kemble,  medical  director; 
Major  E.  W.  Guindon,  Captain  William  W.  Moseley,  and  Cap- 
tain William  G.  Tracy,  aides-de-camp,  and  it  was  ordered  that 
they  be  duly  respected  accordingly.  Most  of  these  tried  gentle- 
men, and  soldiers,  were  with  General  Slocum  at  Chancellors- 
ville  and  Gettysburg. 

Further  disciplinary  work  being  necessary,  Slocum  pub- 
lished the  following  rules  as  his  General  Orders  Number  6,  under 
date  of  May  12th,  namely: 

I.  The  United  States  Government  having  adopted  the  policy  of  leasing 
abandoned  plantations  and  giving  employment  to  freedmen,  it  is  the  duty 
of  the  military  authorities  to  give  protection  as  far  as  possible  to  the  lessee 
and  laborer.  This  protection  can  only  be  given  by  holding  responsible  the 
districts  in  which  the  bands  of  guerrillas,  who  are  constantly  committing 
depredations  upon  them,  are  organized  and  encouraged. 

II.  It  is  therefore  ordered  that  hereafter  in  every  instance  where  a 
Government  lessee  is  robbed  of  his  property,  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
nearest  military  post  shall  send  a sufficient  force  to  the  locality,  with  in- 
struction to  seize  from  disloyal  citizens  property  sufficient  to  fully  indem- 
nify the  lessee,  which  property  will  be  sold  at  public  auction  and  the  pro- 
ceeds paid  to  the  injured  person.  If  the  crops  of  the  lessee  are  destroyed, 
or  in  any  manner  injured,  crops  of  the  same  kind  will  be  seized  from  dis- 
loyal citizens,  and  harvested  for  the  benefit  of  the  injured  party.  If  any 
lessee  is  killed  by  guerrillas,  an  assessment  of  $10,000  will  at  once  be  levied 
upon  the  disloyal  people  residing  within  thirty  miles  of  the  place  where  the 

13 


194 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


offense  was  committed.  Property  of  any  kind  will  be  seized  and  sold  for 
tills  purpose.  The  amount  so  assessed  will  be  appropriated  for  the  benefit 
of  the  family  of  the  lessee.  Full  reports  of  all  seizures  and  sales  of  prop- 
erty under  this  order  will  in  all  cases  be  forwarded  direct  to  these  head- 
quarters. 

III.  In  deciding  upon  the  class  of  persons  who  are  to  be  assessed,  it 
should  not  be  forgotten  that  the  oath  of  allegiance  is  not  an  infallible  test 
of  loyalty.  If  a citizen  has  relatives  and  friends  among  these,  if  he  har- 
bors or  protects  them,  or  if  having  the  means  of  doing  so  he  fails  to  inform 
the  lessee  of  their  approach,  lie  must  be  held  accountable.  Men  .must  be 
judged  by  their  acts  and  not  by  the  oaths  they  have  taken. 

At  Vicksburg  General  Slocum  had  command  of  many  negro 
soldiers,  some  of  whom  were  not  so  considerate  of  the  rights  of 
others,  and  of  soldierly  honor,  as  those  soldiers  who  had  been 
longer  under  his  command.  It  was  his  rule  not  to  discriminate 
between  any  parts  of  his  command,  all  things  being  equal,  and 
he  refrained  as  much  as  possible  from  mentioning  color  or  any 
disparaging  feature.  He  soon  found  it  necessary,  however,  to 
issue  his  General  Orders  Number  7,  dated  May  8th,  which  con- 
tain all  that  has  been  found  regarding  the  disgrace  mentioned 
therein,  namely: 

The  attention  of  the  officers  of  this  command  is  called  to  the  impor- 
tance of  maintaining  discipline  and  preventing  all  marauding  and  pillaging 
on  the  part  of  soldiers,  while  every  effort  should  be  made  to  punish  citizens 
who  aid  the  enemy,  or  who  in  any  manner  violate  military  law  or  orders. 
The  punishment  in  every  case  should  be  inflicted  by  authority,  and  in  a 
proper  and  lawful  manner.  Every  act  of  pillage  and  every  unjustifiable 
encroachment  upon  the  rights  of  citizens  serve  only  to  bring  disgrace  upon 
our  armies  and  encourage  a spirit  which  should  be  unknown  among  brave 
men  engaged  in  a noble  cause.  The  recent  murder  of  a citizen  by  colored 
soldiers  in  open  day  in  the  streets  of  this  city  [Vicksburg]  should  arouse 
the  attention  of  every  officer  serving  with  these  troops  to  the  absolute  neces- 
sity of  preventing  their  soldiers  from  attempting  a redress  of  their  own 
grievances.  If  the  spirit  which  led  to  this  act  of  violence  is  not  at  once 
repressed,  consequences  of  the  most  terrible  nature  must  follow.  The  re- 
sponsibility resting  upon  officers  in  immediate  command  of  colored  troops 
cannot  be  overestimated.  The  policy  of  arming  colored  men,  although  at 
first  strongly  opposed,  has  finally  been  very  generally  approved  by  loyal  men 
throughout  the  country.  If  this  experiment  is  successful,  if  these  troops 
prove  powerful  and  efficient  in  enforcing  obedience  to  law,  all  good  officers 
connected  with  the  organization  will  receive  the  credit  which  is  due  them 
as  pioneers  in  the  great  work.  But  if  in  teaching  the  colored  man  that  he 
is  free,  and  that,  in  becoming  a soldier  ,he  has  become  the  equal  of  his  former 
master,  we  forget  to  teach  him  the  first  duty  of  a soldier,  that  of  obedience 


1864 


SUCCESSFUL  WORK  APPRECIATED 


195 


to  law,  and  to  the  orders  of  those  appointed  over  him;  if  we  encourage  him 
in  rushing  for  his  arms  and  coolly  murdering  citizens  for  every  fancied  in- 
sult, nothing  but  disgrace  and  dishonor  can  befall  all  connected  with  the 
organization.  Every  wrong  done  to  the  colored  soldiers  can  and  shall  be 
punished,  but  he  must  not  be  permitted  to  take  the  law  into  his  own  hands, 
and  hereafter  the  officers  of  any  regiment  guilty  of  such  crimes  as  that 
which  has  to-day  brought  disgrace  upon  the  colored  troops,  will  be  held  to 
a strict  accountability.73 

Major-General  Cadwallader  C.  Washburn,  a capable  and 
efficient  officer,  was  appointed  to  command  the  District  of  West- 
ern Tennessee,  with  headquarters  at  Memphis.  He  found  in 
General  Slocum  a congenial  and  worthy  neighbor.  Slocum  in- 
vited him  to  Vicksburg,  and  requested  his  full  cooperation 
against  the  conspirators  for  improper  gains  and  disloyal  acts 
along  the  river  and  towns  of  their  districts. 

General  McPherson,  while  very  active  in  the  command  of 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  in  the  field  and  advancing  on  Atlanta, 
found  time  to  write  to  Slocum  and  Washburn  of  the  good  prog- 
ress his  and  Thomas’s  armies  were  making,  and  requesting  that 
they  keep  the  enemy  in  their  districts  fully  occupied  in  defend- 
ing himself  that  he  might  not  be  called  to  help  his  comrades 
while  they  were  being  hard  pressed  by  the  Union  forces  on  the 
Atlanta  Campaign. 

The  report  of  General  Slocum’s  command  May  31st  showed 
a reduced  and  more  scattered  condition  than  at  the  close  of  the 
previous  month.  Major-General  Prank  P.  Blair,  Jr.,  had  been 
assigned  to  command  the  XVIItli  Army  Corps  composed  of  that 
part  formerly  rendezvoused  at  Cairo,  with  accessions  from  dif- 
ferent points,  for  participation  in  the  Atlanta  Campaign ; and 
the  parts  of  this  corps  remaining  immediately  under  Slocum’s 
command,  with  various  accessions,  were  kept  very  busy  in  garri- 
son, patrol,  and  expeditionary  duties. 

McPherson  wrote  to  Slocum  June  25th,  1864,  brieflly  from 
near  Dallas,  Georgia,  that  ‘now  is  the  time  to  strike  Grenada 
and  smash  things’  in  indirect  aid  of  the  Union  armies  then  in 
hard  contest  in  Georgia.  Slocum  was  wanted  in  McPherson’s 
Army  of  the  Tennessee  at  this  time,  but  Lieutenant  Grant  inter- 
fered to  prevent,  and  President  Lincoln  deferred  to  him  upon 
receipt  of  Assistant  Secretary  of  War  Charles  A.  Dana’s  letter 
from  the  field  with  Grant  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Edwin  M. 


196 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


Stanton,  stating  that  “Grant  wants  to  keep  Slocum  at  Vicks- 
burg. Grant  has  reliable  information  that  Slocum  is  making  war 
on  a den  of  thieves  who  have  their  seat  there,  and  wishes  that 
he  should  be  left  to  straighten  them  out.”71 

Major-General  William  T.  Sherman,  as  ranking  officer,  was 
with  the  Union  forces  on  the  Atlanta  Campaign,  first  with  Mc- 
Pherson and  then  with  General  Thomas  commanding  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland.  June  4th  Sherman  applied  to  General  An- 
drew J.  Smith,  commanding  a Division  of  the  Mississippi  River, 
and  General  Slocum  to  at  once  make  up  yet  another  command 
of  six  to  ten  thousand  men  to  operate  with  Admiral  David  G. 
Farragut  toward  Mobile,  Alabama,  by  way  of  Pascagoula.  Sher- 
man knew  at  this  time  that  little  was  left  of  Mobile,  but  he 
though  that  the  landing  of  Union  troops  near  there  might  draw 
Confederate  troops  that  way  which  might  otherwise  be  added 
to  those  battling  against  him  while  on  the  Atlanta  Campaign. 

General  Edward  R.  S.  Canby,  commanding  on  the  lower 
Mississippi  River,  wrote  to  Slocum  June  16th,  for  two  thousand 
troops  to  take  into  Louisiana,  but  Slocum  did  not  have  any 
troops  to  send  beyond  the  limits  of  his  district.  The  22nd,  the 
same  request  was  repeated  by  Canby.  The  27th  General  Wash- 
burn, of  Memphis,  also  Slocum’s  junior  in  command,  issued  an 
imperious  command  for  General  Slocum’s  troops  to  be  sent  to  a 
distant  place.  He  also  soon  wrote  to  Sherman  of  Slocum’s 
remissness  in  not  complying  with  his  command.  But  Slocum  was 
too  busy  attending  to  his  multiform  duties  to  worry  about  orders 
from  junior  officers.  He  had  been  frequently  sending  out  in  dif- 
ferent direction,  even  to  distant  parts  of  his  district,  forces  to 
capture,  or  rout,  the  enemy’s  guerrillas  and  larger  commands. 

On  July  2nd,  General  Slocum  went  in  person  to  Jackson, 
Mississippi,  with  a force  of  about  three  thousand  men,  composed 
of  infantry,  cavalry,  and  artillery  men  with  six  cannon.  They 
destroyed  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad  including  its  bridge 
over  the  Pearl  River  near  Jackson.  The  enemy  then  was  massed 
in  superior  number  under  Lieutenant-General  S.  D.  Lee  for  the 
purpose  of  cutting  off  Slocum’s  retreat  and  capturing  all  of  his 
command.  Although  at  a disadvantage,  Slocum  attacked  Lee  and 
fought  him  two  hours  and  until  his  retirement  from  his  advan- 
tageous position.  In  this  severe  engagement  Slocum  lost  33 


1864 


BESET  BY  HARASSING  FRIENDS 


197 


killed,  156  wounded,  and  31  missing.  The  enemy  was  as  severely, 
or  worse,  hurt.  July  10th  Slocum  made  another  successful  expe- 
dition to  Port  Gibson,  and  to  Grand  Gulf  where  he  routed  the 
enemy,  who  expected  to  defeat  him  by  a swooping  night  attack. 
And  so  he  kept  his  troops  busy  in  all  directions,  as  Generals 
Sherman  and  Grant  well  knew. 

Sherman,  himself  had,  in  his  nervous  irritable  way,  been 
inciting  Washburn,  Canby,  Hurlbut,  and  others,  to  inconsiderate 
and  improper  action;  and  now  he  turned  his  inconsiderate  pen 
upon  Slocum  in  a telegram  dated  ‘in  the  Field  near  Kenesaw 
Georgia,  June  28,  1864,’  the  first  part  reading  as  follows:  “I  see 
by  the  Atlanta  paper  of  the  25th  that  the  railroad  bridge  at 
Jackson  is  being  rebuilt.  If  you  permit  the  enemy  to  regain  the 
use  of  that  bridge  and  of  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad,  you 
need  not  expect  military  favors  from  General  Grant  or  myself.  ’ ’ 
Slocum  was  doing  his  full  duty  with  the  troops  under  his  com- 
mand, and  he  was  not  a man  to  fawn  to  anyone ; and  the  threat 
did  not  raise  Sherman  any  in  his  estimation.  Just  at  this  time 
Slocum  was  much  beset  by  others,  mostly  juniors  north  and 
south  of  him,  who  had  been  incited  anew  by  Sherman  ‘to  do 
something’  and  who  were  finding  it  the  easiest  way  out  of  their 
dilemma  to  write  to  Sherman,  practically,  that  ‘Slocum  would 
do  it.’ 

At  his  earliest  opportunity  General  Slocum  sent  the  follow- 
ing gem  of  a pronunciamento  of  gentlemanly  dignity,  soldierly 
honor,  and  of  rights  withal,  that  set  the  erratic  Sherman  aback 
to  the  understanding  that,  no  matter  how  willing  an  officer  might 
be.  he  could  not  readily  create  soldiers  for  every  excitable  caller. 
This  letter  reads  as  follows : 

Headquarters  District-  of  Vicksburg,  - 
Vicksburg,  Miss.,  July  2,  1864. 

Maj.  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman, 

Commanding  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi. 

General:  Your  dispatch  of  .June  27  [28]  has  been  received.  Soon 
after  my  arrival  at  this  post  I sent  out  an  expedition  which  succeeded  in 
destroying  portions  of  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad  and  forcing  the 
enemy  to  concentrate  in  this  vicinity.  The  official  report  of  General  Mc- 
Arthur, commanding  the  expedition,  has  been  forwarded  to  Major-General 
McPherson.  During  the  absence  of  this  expedition  Major-General  Canby 
arrived  at  this  post  and  exhibited  orders  placing  him  in  command  of  the 
Department  of  the  Gulf  and  the  Department  of  Arkansas,  also  giving  him 


198 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


entire  control  over  me.  His  headquarters  were  established  within  the  limits 
of  this  district,  and  he  issued  various  orders  which  were  promulgated 
throughout  my  command.  Among  others,  he  ordered  me  to  hold  myself  in 
readiness  to  send  him  2,000  men  whenever  called  upon.  This  and  other 
orders  rendered  it  impossible  for  me  to  act  upon  some  of  the  orders  received 
from  you  relative  to  the  movements  of  troops.  On  the  receipt  of  your  tele- 
gram I at  once  ordered  a force  of  3,500  men  toward  Jackson,  with  a view  of 
going  out  to-morrow  and  assuming  the  command  of  the  expedition.  To- 
day I am  in  receipt  of  a dispatch  from  General  Canby  ordering  me  to 
send  the  2,000  men  (ordered  to  be  held  in  readiness)  to  the  Department  of 
the  Gulf,  which  is  utterly  impossible,  on  account  of  my  having  sent  away 
in  obedience  to  your  order  all  the  forces  that  can  with  safety  be  spared 
from  this  post.  I have  refrained  from  writing  on  this  subject,  not  because 
I felt  satisfied  with  my  position,  but  because  I felt  reluctant  to  thrust 
upon  you  at  a time  like  this  any  subject  calculated  in  any  manner  to  in- 
crease your  care  or  anxiety.  I prefer  to  submit  to  having  my  junior  in 
rank  take  up  his  headquarters  within  my  district  and  issue  orders  to  me, 
in  conflict  with  those  emanating  from  yourself  and  General  McPherson, 
and  do  so  without  complaint.  I have  just  written  to  General  Canby  that  I 
cannot  send  the  2,000  men  required  by  him.  If  I fail  to  accomplish  what 
you  suggest  I am,  in  the  language  of  your  dispatch,  ‘to  expect  no  military 
favors  from  yourself  or  General  Grant.  ’ The  penalty  which  General  Canby 
proposes  to  inflict  has  not  yet  been  announced.  Without  any  particular 
desire  to  secure  favors  from  yourself  or  any  other  person,  I shall  continue 
faithful  in  the  discharge  of  my  duty,  which,  I think,  you  readily  perceive  a 
very  disagreeable  and  difficult  one  when  you  compare  the  different  orders 
issued  to  me  by  General  Canby  with  those  issued  by  yourself. 

I am,  general,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  Slocum, 
Major-General,  Commanding.75 

Upon  receipt  of  Slocum’s  communication  Sherman  at  once 
saw  the  absurdity  of  the  position  in  which  he  had  placed  him- 
self and,  after  rubbing  his  eyes,  he  re-read  Slocum’s  communi- 
cation ; and,  with  all  of  hisi  activities  here  and  there  in  the  field 
of  active  war,  he  found  time  to  read  it  again  before  replying  to  it 
July  24th,  when  he  was  in  full  realization  of  the  important  fact 
that  a considerate,  circumspect,  and  alert  commander  of  good 
habits  and  clear  mind  like  General  Slocum,  could  not  be  excited 
to  imprudent  acts  like  a willing  horse  under  the  improper  lash 
of  an  imprudent  master.  This  reply  should  be  read  in  full  inas- 
much as  it  affords  an  admirable  view  of  the  inward  character 
of  William  T.  Sherman,  the  great  soldier,  and  commander,  with 
his  touching  reference  to  the  great  soldier,  General  James  B. 


1864 


GENERAL  SHERMAN  APOLOGISES 


199 


McPherson,  who  had  met  death  while  serving  his  country  well, 
namely : 

Hdqrs.  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi, 

In  the  Field,  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  July  24,  1864. 

Major-General  Slocum, 

Commanding  Vicksburg,  &e. 

General  : I have  received  yours  of  July  2.  I fear  you  were  more  af- 
fected by  the  words  of  my  telegram  than  I designed.  By  the  language 
used  I aimed  to  express  emphatically  how  important  General  Grant  and  I 
deemed  the  intersection  of  the  Mississippi  Central  and  the  Vicksburg  and 
Selma  roads.  We  had  worked  for  it  so  hard  that  I felt  sensitive  when  I 
heard  the  enemy  were  gradually  closing  the  gap.  Be  assured  of  my  sincere 
respect,  and  if  you  will  be  most  active,  whether  successful  or  not,  you  may 
count  on  my  personal  and  official  support.  This  may  not  be  a motive,  but 
for  the  time  being  I represent  the  Great  Valley,  and  I do  think  I appreciate 
the  relative  value  of  its  parts.  Though  far  away  here  in  Georgia  thunder- 
ing away  at  Atlanta  my  thoughts  revert  to  Mississippi  and  that  Great  Val- 
ley, which  appears  to  me  the  spinal  column  of  America,  that  you  will  par- 
don me  if  at  times  I am  sensitive  as  to  the  safety  of  its  vital  parts.  There 
is  a seeming  conflict  of  authority  between  General  Canby’s  command  and 
mine.  Were  I near  I feel  we  would  perfectly  accord,  but  being  so  far  away 
I will  concede  to  him  superior  knowledge  of  the  pressing  necessities  at  local 
points.  Therefore  when  he  orders  troops,  comply  with  his  orders,  and  report 
the  troops  not  as  transferred  but  as  detached,  and  keep  him  advised  of  the 
tenor  and  purpose  of  any  general  instructions  or  orders  from  the  commander 
of  the  Department  of  the  Tennessee  or  from  me.  Our  command  is  on  the 
east  bank  and  General  Canby’s  on  the  west  bank,  but  as  we  are  off  in 
Georgia  and  Canby  is  near  at  hand,  the  War  Department  has  wisely  or- 
dered that  for  the  protection  of  the  great  interests,  as  it  -were,  afloat  on 
that  river,  General  Canby’s  orders  to  local  garrisons  are  good.  If,  as  I 
hope  will  not  be  the  case,  an  absolute  conflict  should  arise,  I think  our 
commands  to  you  would  be  superior,  but  if  good  sense  and  feeling  prevail, 
I do  not  apprehend  any  real  conflict,  for  the  protection  of  the  river  and  its 
commerce,  which  is  common  to  our  commands,  must  always  take  precedence 
over  any  mere  inland  expedition. 

You  will  have  heard  with  pain  and  sorrow  that  General  McPherson 
was  killed  day  before  yesterday,  at  the  beginning  of  a battle  brought  on 
by  Hood,  who  attacked  our  left  as  we  were  closing  our  lines  on  Atlanta. 
General  McPherson  had  the  Fifteenth  and  Seventh  Corps  in  line,  .con- 
forming to  the  enemy’s  works,  and  was  moving  Dodge’s  troops  obliquely  by 
the  flank  to  the  left  to  form,  as  it  were,  a shoulder.  General  McPherson 
was  crossing  one  of  those  valleys  by  a road  or  wood  path  by,  as  it  were,  a 
diagonal,  to  reach  the  left  flank  of  General  Blair,  doubtless  to  prepare  a 
place  for  General  Dodge,  and  he  must  have  encountered  the  advaned  line 
of  the  enemy’s  skirmishers,  who  preceded  the  column  which  had  reached 
the  rear  of  the  line  of  General  Blair.  He  was  shot  through  the  breast, 


200 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


high  up  from  the  right  side.  He  fell  dead  from  his  horse  but  a few  yards 
from  the  road  or  path.  We  soon  got  his  body  and  sent  it  to  the  rear  and 
to  the  North.  He  was  a noble,  gallant  gentleman,  and  the  best  hope  for  a 
great  soldier  that  I had  in  my  mind’s  eye.  You  will  find  many  a moist  eye 
in  Vicksburg  when  the  news  of  his  death  reaches  there.  General  Logan 
is  in  command  of  the  army  in  the  field,  but  the  President  must  name  his 
successor.  In  the  meantime  execute  his  general  orders,  and  in  all  matters 
of  detail  your  own  good  sense  must  direct. 

Butterfield  is  home  sick.  Ward,  Geary,  and  Williams  command  Hook- 
er ’s  divisions.  All  have  done  good  fighting. 

Your  friend  and  servant, 

W.  T.  Sherman, 
Major-General,  Commanding. 

The  sad  victory  of  the  enemy  in  his  killing  General  Mc- 
Pherson, left  a vacancy  that  must  needs  be  filled  immediately. 
Major-General  Oliver  0.  Howard  now  of  the  IVth  Army  Corps 
under  General  Thomas  was  the  most  available  officer  at  hand, 
and  he  was  at  once  placed  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tenn- 
essee. To  this  action,  of  placing  a junior  officer  over  him,  General 
Hooker  then  in  command  of  the  XXtli  Corps,  took  offense,  as 
did  General  John  A.  Logan.  Hooker  neglected  his  corps  in  the 
field  in  front  of  the  enemy,  and  Brigadier-General  A.  S.  Wil- 
liams, a good  officer  commanding  the  1st  Division,  was  given 
temporary  command,  a position  that  he  had  well  filled  before  on 
different  occasions.  Sherman  had  begun  action  to  relieve  Hooker 
of  the  command  of  this  corps  but  this  action  was  anticipated  by 
Hooker’s  resignation  July  27.  This  resignation  left  the  XXth 
Corps  open  to  the  command  of  General  Slocum  whom  Sherman 
had  been  anxious  to  call  to  his  aid  in  this  most  important  cam- 
paign. 

General  Slocum  ordered  Brigadier-General  Elias  S.  Dennis 
July  28th  to  embark  his  command,  the  1st  Division  of  the  XVIIth 
Army  Corps,  on  the  large  steamboats  Diana  and  Fairchild  at 
Vicksburg,  and  to  report  to  the  commanding  officer  at  Mor- 
ganza,  Louisiana. 

In  his  reports  of  the  Atlanta  Campaign,  General  Sherman 
stated  that  the  checkings  the  enemy  received  from  Slocum’s  re- 
peated expeditions  to  prevent  him  from  destroying  Union  com- 
munications and  from  doing  other  mischief  to  the  Union  forces, 
reflected  great  credit  on  Slocum. 


1864 


CALLED  BACK  TO  HIS  OLD  TROOPS 


201 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 

To  the  Atlanta  Campaign.  Enters  Atlanta 

Major-General  George  H.  Thomas,  commander  of  the  De- 
partment and  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  recommended  the  ap- 
pointment of  Major-General  H.  W.  Slocum  to  the  command  of 
the  XXth  Army  Corps  yet  on  the  Atlanta  Campaign,  to  succeed 
Hooker.  General  Sherman  was  quick  to  approve,  as  were  Lieu- 
tenant-General Grant  and  President  Lincoln ; whereupon  Slocum 
was  assigned  to  this  command  July  30tli,  by  the  War  Depart- 
ment. General  Hallec-k  immediately  thus  telegraphed  to  Slocum 
who  did  not  receive  the  dispatch  until  August  7th  from  this 
source.  Sherman,  however,  received  notification  of  the  appoint- 
ment August  2nd,  and  he  immediately  telegraphed  to  Slocum 
to  turn  over  his  command  of  the  District  of  Vicksburg  to  the 
officer  nest  in  rank  ‘and  come  and  command  your  corps  in  the 
field.’ 

Grant,  in  his  approval  of  Slocum’s  appointment  to  a posi- 
tion that  would  take  him  away  from  Vicksburg,  wrote  July  29th, 
directing  the  appointment  of  a suitable  major-general  of  experi- 
ence, one  capable  of  carrying  on  the  important  work  at  Vicks- 
burg so  well  instituted  there  by  Slocum.  Grant  mentioned  the 
name  of  Major-General  X.  J.  T.  Dana  as  one  likely  to  prove  suit- 
able, and  he  was  accordingly  appointed  to  succeed  Slocum  in  the 
command  of  the  District  of  Vicksburg  and  Natchez. 

Slocum  closed  his  varied  military  and  business  duties  at 
Vicksburg  as  soon  as  practicable  and,  August  19th,  upon  the 
arrival  of  his  successor  the  command  was  turned  over  to  him. 
According  to  Sherman’s  request,  Slocum  took  the  first  boat  for 
Cairo.  Thence  passing  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  he  traveled  over 
the  railway  to  Nashville  where  he  stopped  to  confer  with  General 
Thomas.  Thence  his  journey  led  through  Chattanooga  and  over 
the  Atlanta  railway  to  the  advance  line  of  the  Union  forces  in 
the  field,  where  he  reported  in  person  to  General  Sherman 
August  27th. 

The  reader  may  bear  in  mind  that  Slocum’s  XHth  Army 
Corps,  when  he  left  it  to  take  up  the  command  of  the  District  of 
Vicksburg,  was  consolidated  with  the  Xlth  Corps  formerly  under 
General  Howard,  which  corps  had  also  previously  often  been 


202 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


under  Slocum’s  command  in  conjunction  with  his  Xllth  Corps. 
The  new  combination  was  hnally  given  the  name  XXtli  Army 
Corps  and  it  was  recruited  to  a large  organization.  By  general 
desire  this  newly  numbered  corps  was  permitted  to  retain  the 
treasured  five-pointed  star  badge  of  the  now  extinct  Xllth  Corps. 

It  is  well  for  the  reader  to  understand  here,  that  General 
Grant’s  plan  was  to  cease  guarding  extensive  tracts  of  the  coun- 
try at  large,  and  to  call  all  of  the  practicable  Union  forces 
against  two  centers  of  operation— the  Eastern  armies  under 
Grant  against  Lee  and  Richmond,  and  the  AVestern  armies  un- 
der Sherman  against  Atlanta,  and  then  certain  other  parts  of 
the  South  to  be  determined  upon.  It  was  necessary,  however,  to 
continue  to  guard  communications  for  supplies. 

Confederate  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  who  had  been 
flanked  out  of  his  strong  defenses  by  Sherman’s  tactics  and 
steadfast  forces,  and  who  had  therefrom  several  times  retreated 
to  other  lines  in  the  rear  previously  prepared,  was  relieved  of 
this  command  by  Lieutenant-General  John  B.  Hood  by  order  of 
the  Confederate  Government  at  Richmond.  Hood,  by  his  un- 
wise offensive  movements,  also  lost  ground,  and  lie  was  also  des- 
tined to  soon  retreat  from  Atlanta  for  General  Slocum’s  trium- 
phal entrance  into  and  occupation  of  that  important  center 
and  stronghold. 

The  XXth  Corps,  under  command  of  General  A.  S.  Wil- 
liams of  its  1st  Division  had,  just  before  General  Slocum’s  ar- 
rival, been  sent  to  guard  the  railway  and  bridge  across  the 
Chattahoochee  River,  a large  stream  eight  or  ten  miles  northwest 
of  Atlanta,  preparatory  for  the  other  Union  forces  advancing 
against  the  enemy’s  communications  east  and  south  of  Atlanta. 

General  Williams  announced  the  arrival  of  General  Slocum 
August  26th,  also  the  position  of  the  corps  at  Pace,  Montgom- 
ery, and  Turner’s  Ferries  of  the  Chattahoochee,  it  having  been 
separated  from  the  other  Union  commands  without  being  se- 
riously molested  by  the  enemy.  The  next  day  General  Slocum 
rode  along  the  lines  of  the  different  parts  of  the  corps,  and  the 
great  warmth  of  the  reception  accorded  to  him  everywhere  by 
the  veteran  soldiers  who  had  served  under  him  in  the  great 
battles  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  showed  their  emphatic 
pleasure  and  satisfaction  at  his  return  to  them. 


1864 


IN  THE  ATLANTA  CAMPAIGN 


203 


This  day  General  Slocum  formally  reported  to  Sherman 
that  he  had  assumed  command.  He  also  reported  that  General 
Geary  of  his  find  Division  had  a sharp  skirmish  on  the  26th 
with  the  enemy’s  cavalry  at  Pace’s  Perry  and  captured  several 
of  them  prisoners,  the  others  escaping.  He  further  reported 
that  his  corps  was  well  intrenched,  and  that  his  headquarters 
were  near  the  railway  bridge.  Slocum  also  issued  his  General 
Orders  Number  10  to  his  corps  regarding  his  appointment  to  its 
command,  and  announcing  the  choice  of  three  aides-de-camp 
staff  officers,  as  follows : Major  E.  W.  Guindon,  and  Captains 
W.  W.  Moseley  and  William  G.  Tracy.  Lieutenant-Colonel  H. 
W.  Perkins  continued  to  serve  as  his  assistant  adjutant-general. 

General  Sherman  addressed  Slocum  informing  him  of  the 
positions  of  his  other  Union  forces  as  follows : Hdqrs.  Military 
Division  of  the  Mississippi,  in  the  Field  near  West  Point 
[Georgia  Railroad],  August  28,  4 p.  m.  General  Slocum  [At  the 
Chattahoochee]  Bridge : Army  of  the  Tennessee  is  on  the  West 
Point  railroad  near  Fairburn;  [Army  of  the]  Cumberland  at 
Red  Oak,  and  [Army  of  the]  Ohio  will  be  on  Camp  Creek  to- 
night. We  will  break  it  [the  railroad]  good  and  move  on  to  the 
other  at  once.  Keep  me  advised  of  all  things  of  interest,  if  pos- 
sible via  Campbellton,  and  when  you  feel  strong  at  the  bridge 
give  a help  to  Marietta.  Order  as  many  stores  [supplies]  to 
keep  your  position  as  possible.” 

Slocum  soon  visited  Marietta  and  other  points  within  his 
influence,  and  personally  informed  himself  regarding  the  topog- 
raphy of  the  country,  the  positions  and  strength  of  the  enemy 
as  fully  as  possible. 

General  Slocum  reported  to  General  Thomas  August  29th 
that  he  had  collected  and  armed  all  of  the  convalescents  and 
stragglers  at  Marietta ; that  his  positions  at  the  Chattahoochee 
bridge  and  ferries  wre  strong,  and  that  he  was  ready  for  any 
other  vrork  desired  of  him. 

Having  selected  and  stationed  all  available  troops  for  ser- 
vice in  fortifications  at  Marietta  and  in  the  field  along  his  ex- 
tended line,  Slocum  instituted  reconnoissances  to  determine  the 
true  condition  of  affairs  around  and  in  Atlanta,  the  first  being 
made  August  30th.  With  eight  companies  from  each  regiment 
of  General  Ruger’s  brigade  and  one  battery  of  artillery,  all 


204 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


equaling  a small  brigade,  the  country  was  examined  to  within 
two  miles  of  the  city.  A few  Confederate  cavalrymen  were 
seen  in  the  distance,  but  they  soon  disappeared.  The  next  day ’s 
reconnoitering  party  found  too  strong  a force  of  the  enemy,  and 
it  returned  without  a skirmish. 

Slocum’s  entire  force  present  for  duty  before  and  near 
Atlanta  at  this  time  to  hold  many  important  places,  was  com- 
paratively small,  it  being  composed  of  only  12,170  enlisted  men. 
The  aggregate  number  of  his  command,  present  and  absent,  was 
28,991  enlisted  men,  with  36  pieces  of  artillery.  Sherman  was 
many  miles  south  of  Atlanta  at  this  time  with  communications 
cut ; and  Grant  telegraphed  to  Slocum  to  communicate  all  news 
direct  to  Halleck  in  Washington  until  all  parts  of  the  armies 
could  be  heard  from  direct. 

Slocum  increased  the  number  and  strength  of  his  com- 
mands against  Atlanta  and,  early  in  the  morning  of  September 
2nd,  he  telegraphed  to  Washington  that  he  and  his  XXtli  Corps 
were  in  full  possession  of  the  city.  The  Secretary  of  War  im- 
mediately replied  with  warm  expression  of  his  thanks  for  the 
welcome  news.  The  preceding  night  the  enemy  destroyed  eighty- 
one  railway  cars  more  or  less  filled  with  ammunition,  arms,  and 
stores,  also  seven  locomotives.  He  left  three  locomotives,  twenty 
pieces  of  artillery  and  a large  number  of  small  arms  uninjured. 
Several  hundred  prisoners  were  captured  and  many  deserters 
from  the  enemy  continued  to  follow  them  into  the  Union  lines 
for  some  considerable  length  of  time.  Many  citizens  greeted  the 
Union  soldiers  as  deliverers  from  the  ‘despotism  of  the  Con- 
federacy. ’ 

General  Slocum  also  reported  to  Halleck  at  Washington  that 
many  of  his  soldiers  had  not  been  paid  for  eight  months,  and 
he  requested  that  paymasters  be  sent  at  the  earliest  practicable 
time.  Troops  were  immediately  distributed  in  and  around  the 
city  for  its  protection,  and  for  the  protection  of  all  citizens. 
Railway  communication  was  soon  established  with  the  Union 
forces  at  Chattanooga. 

The  Confederate  General  Hardee  retreated  in  the  night  of 
September  1st  from  Sherman,  the  same  night  that  Hood  re- 
treated from  Slocum  at  Atlanta.  Sherman  now  saw  no  advan- 
tage in  further  work  immediately  against  the  enemy  to  the 


1864  FIRST  TO  ENTER  AND  OCCUPY  ATLANTA  205 


southward.  He  marched  leisurely  toward  Atlanta,  extending 
his  troops  from  Decatur  on  the  east  to  beyond  Atlanta  on  the 
west.  Slocum  remained  in  command  of  Atlanta. 

The  Atlanta  Campaign  lasted  about  four  months,  and  was 
one  of  the  most  memorable  in  history  so  far,  wrote  General 
Grant.  Beside  the  important  City  of  Atlanta,  the  enemy  lost 
at  least  500  men  killed,  2,500  wounded,  and  3,000  prisoners. 
The  entire  Union  loss  was  less  than  1,500.76 

General  Slocum  took  charge  of  all  suitable  buildings  in 
Atlanta  for  United  States  uses.  He  established  his  headquar- 
ters in  the  Trout  House  Hotel.  Sherman  soon  ordered  all  citi- 
zens with  their  families  to  prepare  for  going  to  their  friends 
South  or  North,  inasmuch  as  there  could  be  no  more  trade  or 
commerce  in  Atlanta  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

Now  General  Slocum’s  duties  were  greatly  augmented  by 
the  reports  of  different  corps  and  subordinate  commanders  of 
Sherman’s  armies,  with  prisoners,  the  sick  and  wounded,  and 
with  the  spoils  of  war,  which  he  was  to  assign  each  to  the  proper 
place.  Slocum  also  extended  his  guards  so  as  to  protect  the 
Peach  Tree  Road,  and  he  re-arranged  the  forces  guarding  the 
Chattahoochee  bridges  and  ferries. 

Colonel  Benjamin  Harrison,  afterwards  President  of  the 
United  States,  was  then  commanding  at  the  Chattahoochee  the 
1st  Brigade  of  the  Illrd  Division  of  Slocum’s  XXth  Corps. 
Slocum  directed  his  assistant  adjutant-general  to  inform  Harri- 
son that  he  had  ordered  General  A.  S.  Williams’s  1st  Division 
all  forward  to  Atlanta,  and  also  General  Geary’s  Ilnd  Division. 
That  he,  Harrison,  was  ordered  to  send  one  of  his  regiments  to 
hold  the  bridge-heads  on  the  south  side  of  the  Chattahoochee  at 
the  railroad  ferry,  and  that  he  send  a company  to  hold  Pace’s 
Ferry.  At  the  latter  bridge  he  should  take  up  about  fifty  feet 
of  the  flooring  from  the  south  end  and  then  place  one  company 
of  soldiers  at  the  north  end  which  would  make  all  safe  at  that 
point.  He,  Harrison,  should  take  up  the  bridge  at  Turner’s 
Ferrj,  and  the  unmounted  cavalry  under  Colonel  Capron  could 
hold  the  ford  at  that  place,  being  stationed  on  the  north  side  of 
the  river.  Slocum  further  ordered  Harrison  to  send  to  Atlanta 
all  the  stragglers  and  convalescents  in  his  charge,  with  necessary 
guards.  Harrison  was  to  afford  the  different  depai’tments  at 


206 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


tlie  railway  bridge  every  facility  for  loading  stores  to  be  trans- 
ported to  Atlanta.77 

The  enemy’s  intrenchments  and  fortifications  of  Atlanta 
were  found  to  be  as  desired  by  the  enemy  well  near  impregnable. 
They  extended  entirely  around  the  city  in  a circle  of  about  one 
mile  and-a-half  outside  the  limits.  There  were  also  outer  in- 
trenchments which  a storming  party  must  needs  force  before 
a close  siege  could  begin.  These  works  requiring  a far  larger 
force  to  defend  than  Sherman  could  spare,  Slocum  constructed 
interior  defenses  of  sufficient  extent  and  strength. 

General  Sherman  took  up  temporary  headquarters  in 
Atlanta  at  the  residence  of  the  lately  deceased  Masonic  Grand 
Master  of  Georgia,  by  consent  of  his  widow,  Mrs.  Welch.  The 
band  of  music  of  the  33rd  Massachusetts  Regiment  of  Slocum’s 
men  soon  extended  its  compliments  to  Sherman  in  a serenade. 
The  music  pleased  the  general  so  much  that  he  suggested  to  the 
band  the  propriety  of  a concert  in  the  principal  theatre  building 
for  the  benefit  of  Mrs.  Welch,  a worthy  woman,  who  had  been 
impoverished  by  the  war.  The  band  was  prompt  to  act  accord- 
ingly. Some  of  the  officers  with  well-trained  voices  readily 
joined  in  the  effort,  as  did  different  Atlanta  ladies,  friends  of 
Mrs.  Welch,  and  a good  entertainment  was  produced.  It  em- 
braced much  choice  music,  including  classic  and  popular  com- 
positions; Gounod’s  Soldiers’  Chorus  from  Faust  being  one  of 
the  newest  numbers.  Then  a play  was  put  on  the  stage.  The 
theatre  had  a great  run  till  the  very  last  night  before  the  march 
through  Georgia  began,  when  the  receipts  of  the  evening  were 
$667.  The  season  lasted  four  weeks  (seventeen  nights)  and  the 
band’s  receipts  amounted  to  $8,000  in  all.  It  gave  $2,000  to 
Mrs.  Welch,  and  out  of  the  balance  in  hand  it  had  enough  to 
pay  its  members  the  amount  due  from  the  officers  to  the  end  of 
their  three  years’  enlistment.78  A soldiers’  variety  troupe  also 
gave  a number  of  entertainments  with  cheaper  admittance  fees. 


Badge  of  the 


XXth  Army  Corps 


1364:  IN  COMMAND  OF  SOUTHERN  STRONGHOLD  207 


CHAPTER  XXXV 

At  Atlanta.  Development  op  New  Campaign 

General  Sherman  withdrew  his  IVth  and  XIVth  Army- 
Corps  September  5th  from  the  immediate  neighborhood  of 
Atlanta,  to  positions  along  the  railways  east  and  north.  Gen- 
eral Slocum  remained  in  full  command  of  the  city  and  the 
country  several  miles  around. 

The  Confederate  General  Hood  soon  began  depredations  on 
the  Union  line  of  communication,  and  Sherman  moved  after 
him,  leaving  only  Slocum  to  defend  Atlanta  and  the  Chatta- 
hoochee, thus  showing  unbounded  confidence  in  Slocum’s  watch- 
fulness and  ability. 

Correspondence  soon  began  between  Sherman  and  Grant 
regarding  the  further  movement  against  the  enemy  from  At- 
lanta, Sherman  favoring  expedition  through  Georgia  to  the 
south  or  east.  The  enemy,  however,  was  constantly  breaking 
his  communication  with  Chattanooga,  delaying,  and  imperiling 
his  supplies.  He  had  considered  advancement  upon  Macon, 
Georgia,  103  miles  from  Atlanta,  and  even  to  Augusta  a dis- 
tance of  175  miles.  He  felt  assured  that  he  could  find  daily 
food  as  he  advanced  but,  being  without  railway  communication 
with  a Union  depot  of  supplies,  with  the  enemy  surrounding 
him,  he  was  fearful  of  being  delayed  so  that  supplies  might  not 
be  constantly  forthcoming.  He  wrote  to  Grant  September  10th 
that,  if  he  (Grant)  could  manage  to  send  gunboats  up  the 
Savannah  River  to  Augusta,  or  up  the  Chattahoochee  as  far  as 
Columbus,  ‘ I can  sweep  the  whole  State  of  Georgia.  ’ 

Trains  began  running  through  to  Atlanta  the  10th,  and 
this  day  special  field  orders  announced  that,  by  agreement  be- 
tween Generals  Sherman  and  Hood,  a truce  was  declared  to 
exist  for  ten  full  days,  between  September  12th-22nd,  at  the 
station  of  the  Macon  railroad  known  as  Rough  and  Ready,  and 
the  country  around  and  about  within  a circle  of  two  miles 
radius,  together  with  the  roads  leading  to  and  from  in  the  direc- 
tions of  Atlanta  and  Lovejoy’s  Station,  for  the  purpose  of  af- 
fording the  citizens  of  Atlanta  a safe  means  of  removal  south. 
Facilities  were  ordered  to  be  supplied  that  the  removal  might  be 
safe  and  comfortable,  both  to  the  people  and  to  their  effects. 


208 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


Union  officers  and  enlisted  men  of  high  character  were  chosen  to 
see  this  order  properly  executed,  they  to  appear  in  their  best 
uniforms,  and  with  their  best  soldierly  bearing.79 

This  removal  of  the  citizens  of  Atlanta,  and  the  exchange  of 
2,000  prisoners  with  Hood  for  a like  number  of  his  Union  prison- 
ers, cleared  the  situation  for  the  future  operations  in  Georgia. 
Grant  had  been  urging  Sherman  to  keep  the  enemy  busy.  He 
wrote  September  10th,  ‘if  we  give  him  no  peace  while  the  war 
lasts,  the  end  cannot  be  distant.’ 

The  effective  force  of  General  Slocum’s  XXth  Corps  Sep- 
tember 19th,  was : officers,  774 ; enlisted  men  in  infantry  and 
cavalry,  12,112.  The  aggregate  present,  and  absent  sick,  on 
detachment  service,  and  on  furlough  August  31st,  was  28,991 
men,  with  36  pieces  of  artillery. 

Political  questions,  and  the  presidential  election,  did  not 
interfere  with  General  Slocum 's  duties  in  the  field.  A number  of 
generals,  subordinate  and  others,  returned  to  their  homes  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  important  political  campaign  in  progress,  but  Slo- 
cum remained  at  his  post  of  duty. 

The  summary  of  the  report  of  John  W.  Foye,  Surgeon  of  U.  S. 
Volunteers,  and  Medical  Director  of  the  XXth  Army  Corps,  from 
July  22nd  to  September  30th  inclusive,  demonstrated  the  ad- 
vantage of  retaining  the  sick  and  wounded  with  the  corps  wher- 
ever the  marches  and  engagements  with  the  enemy  would  permit. 
For  instance  his  report  shows : Admitted  to  field  hospitals,  2,935 
sick,  and  430  wounded.  Returned  to  duty  1,010 ; transferred  to 
other  hospitals,  1,419;  discharged,  4;  died,  173;  furloughed,  1; 
deserted,  2;  remaining  in  field  hospital,  sick  755,  wounded  51. 
The  data  kept  by  Surgeon  Foye’s  predecessor  of  surgical  opera- 
tions immediate  and  folloAving  the  several  battles  and  engage- 
ments with  the  enemy  during  the  early  part  of  the  Atlanta  Cam- 
paign, were  so  deficient  in  system  and  detail  as  to  render  the 
notes  valueless  for  statistical  purposes.80  Colonel  George  A.  Cob- 
ham  of  the  111th  Pennsylvania  Infantry  was  killed  in  the  Battle 
of  New  Hope  Church,  and  Colonel  David  Ireland  of  the  137th 
New  York  Infantry,  Volunteers,  died  of  disease  September  10th. 
The  loss  of  these  brave  and  efficient  officers  was  much  lamented 
in  their  brigades,  and  by  all  of  their  commanders. 

In  General  Sherman’s  special  field  orders  issued  October  3rd, 


1864 


MASTER  OF  THE  SITUATION 


209 


the  first  paragraph  reads,  that  Major-General  Slocum  with  the 
XXtli  Corps  would  hold  Atlanta  and  the  Chattahoochee  bridge, 
and  all  detachments  of  other  troops  or  corps  would  report  to 
General  Slocum  and  be  assigned  by  him  to  posts  looking  to  the 
security  of  the  Atlanta  depot  of  supplies.  The  next  day  General 
Jacob  D.  Cox,  a very  capable  and  efficient  officer,  formerly  in 
the  East  and  now  the  the  headquarters  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio 
at  Decatur,  Georgia,  was  directed  to  report  to  General  Slocum 
for  orders.  General  Cox  was  destined  after  the  close  of  the 
war  to  rise  in  civil  service  to  the  office  of  Governor  of  Ohio  and, 
also  high  in  judicial  service.  His  ranking  officer,  General  John 
M.  Schofield,  was  at  this  time  in  Tennessee  as  Commander  of 
the  Ohio,  aiding  General  Thomas’s  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
against  the  Confederate  General  Forrest  and  detachments  of 
the  enemy. 

General  Sherman  apprised  Slocum  October  4th  of  the  posi- 
tions of  the  enemy  embracing  Wheeler  and  Hood’s  main  forces 
which  he  was  about  to  attack  near  Allatoona  to  the  northward, 
and  he  requested  Slocum  to  work  night  and  day  on  the  inner 
fortifications  of  Atlanta.  He  feared  that  Slocum  would  be  vio- 
lently attacked  before  the  new  defenses  were  serviceable.  The 
bridge  would  receive  the  first  attack,  but  wrote  the  anxious  and 
doughty  Sherman  ‘If  I live  you  may  count  on  my  coming  to 
your  rescue.  Please  answer.’  Slocum’s  immediately  reply  was: 
‘We  are  hard  at  work,  and  I think  you  need  have  no  anxiety 
about  us.  The  bridge  is  perfectly  safe.’  This  day  Slocum  is- 
sued a circular  to  his  different  commands  notifying  them  of  the 
nearness  of  at  least  one  infantry  corps  of  the  enemy  with  Major- 
General  Joseph  Wheeler’s  large  force  of  cavalry.  Slocum  placed 
each  division  and  detachment  of  his  infantry  and  artillery  at 
the  point  of  greatest  vantage  at  the  bridge  and  around  Atlanta. 
All  details  he  had  carefully  studied,  and  his  officers  and  men 
acted  upon  his  orders  with  alacrity  and  precision.  Everything, 
and  everybody,  was  soon  in  readiness  for  the  enemy’s  approach 
from  every  quarter.  Yet  anxious,  Sherman  wrote  October  6th 
with  several  suggestions,  to  which  Slocum  was  able  to  reply : 
“It  is  perfectly  quiet  here;  new  line  finished;  our  position  very 
strong.  Can  I do  anything  to  help  you?  I can  safely  send  out 
a brigade  to  destroy  bridges.” 

14 


210 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


Slierman  sent  Slocum  October  7th  a long  communication 
reporting  the  repulse  of  the  enemy  by  his  forces  near  Allatoona, 
and  the  retreat  of  the  enemy’s  detachments  before  Sherman’s 
immediate  command,  thus  surrendering  to  him  Kenesaw,  Pine 
Hill,  and  Lost  Mountain.  The  railway  had  been  much  broken 
by  the  enemy.  Forage  was  good.  Slocum  was  able  to  reply 
favorably,  even  to  the  sending  out  of  a strong  foraging  party  to 
the  southeast  with  good  results.  Sherman  wrote  to  Slocum  again 
this  day  regarding  the  safety  of  Allatoona  with  its  8,000  Union 
beef  cattle  and  other  supplies.  The  enemy’s  loss  in  the  recent 
engagement  was  large,  including  450  prisoners.  Hood  had  re- 
treated southward,  and  Slocum  was  warned  against  his  probable 
attack.  In  his  letter  of  congratulation  and  expression  of  con- 
fidence in  General  John  M.  Corse  for  his  brave  and  successful 
defense  of  Allatoona,  Sherman  requested  him  to  send  to  Gen- 
erals Thomas  and  Webster  in  Tennessee,  the  information  that 
Slocum  had  completed  the  defenses  of  Atlanta,  making  it  so 
safe  ‘ that  Slocum  could  hold  it  against  Hood ’s  whole  army.  ’ 

General  Slocum  reported  to  Sherman  October  9th,  that  all 
was  quiet  at  Atlanta,  and  that  the  Chattahoochee  bridge  that  had 
recently  been  injured  by  the  flood  of  water,  had  been  repaired, 
and  a steam  train  had  been  sent  across  it.  He  further  reported 
that  more  forage  for  his  horses  was  necessary,  and  that  he  would 
forage  in  the  country  again. 

Communication  was  open  October  9th  between  Sherman  at 
Allatoona,  Georgia,  Thomas  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  Grant 
at  City  Point,  Virginia.  The  former  reported  Atlanta  safe,  and 
again  proposed  that  he  break  up  the  railroad  southward  from 
Chattanooga  (it  being  impossible  to  keep  it  from  being  broken 
frequently  in  places  by  the  enemy)  and  that  he  (Sherman) 
'strike  out  with  wagons  for  Milledgeville,  Millen,  and  Savannah.’ 
By  continuing  to  hold  the  railroad  south  of  Chattanooga  Sher- 
man estimated  that  he  would  lose  1,000  men  every  month  and 
gain  but  little  toward  conquering  the  enemy.  That  with  his 
8,000  beef  cattle  and  about  3,000,000  rations  of  bread,  they 
could  start  from  Atlanta  and  forage  through  Georgia.82  To  this 
Grant  replied  the  11th  with  forebodings  regarding  the  damage 
that  might  be  done  to  the  Union  forces  by  Hood  north  of  the 
Tennessee  River ; and  to  Sherman  in  Georgia  by  his  being  ‘ bush- 


1864 


YET  MASTER  OF  THE  SITUATION 


211 


whacked  by  all  the  old  men,  little  boys,  and  such  railroad  guards 
as  are  still  left  at  home.’  Sherman  replied  immediately  that 
he  would  infinitely  prefer  to  make  wreck  of  the  road  after  send- 
ing to  Chattanooga  or  further  north  his  sick,  wounded,  and 
worthless,  and  take  an  independent  course  through  Georgia.  He 
thought  that  Hood  would  be  forced  to  follow  him,  but  if  he  did  go 
north  Thomas  would  compete  with  him.  At  all  events  Sherman 
preferred  to  act  on  the  offensive ; to  have  the  enemy  guessing  at 
what  movement  he  would  make  next,  rather  than  on  the  de- 
fensive when  he  would  be  obliged  to  do  the  guessing  regarding 
the  enemy’s  next  move — the  difference  being  twenty -five  per 
cent,  in  favor  of  the  former.  The  last  sentence  of  this  dispatch 
read,  ‘answer  quick,  as  I know  we  will  not  have  the  telegraph 
long.  ’ This  dispatch  was  sent  at  10  a.  m.,  and  Grant  replied  at 
11.30  p.  m.  ‘Make  it  as  you  think  best,’  as  Sherman  read  it.83 
Some  writers  have  said  that  it  was  Grant’s  idea  that  led  Sher- 
man to  the  sea ; but  here  we  note  authority  that  Grant,  as  su- 
perior officer,  was  loath  to  give  his  sanction  to  Sherman’s  sug- 
gestion. 

Sherman,  and  his  carefully  selected  supporting  officers, 
now  had  a definite  and  alluring  object  for  which  to  work— an 
object  and  work  that  he  had  not  been  able  to  dismiss  from  his 
mind  for  some  length  of  time. 

General  Slocum  ordered  October  10,  all  those  in  charge  of 
the  available  wagons  in  his  command  to  be  in  readiness  to  start 
with  Genera]  Geary’s  division  on  a foraging  expedition  to  South 
River  to  the  southeast  of  Atlanta.  Slocum  reported  to  Sherman 
the  13th  that  Hood  had  found  his  (Slocum’s)  advance  line  very 
strong  and  had  taken  all  of  his  (Hood’s)  troops  from  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Atlanta  except  a small  cavalry  force  near  Sandtown. 
Slocum’s  five  or  six  hundred  well  guarded  forage  wagons  re- 
turned the  evening  of  this  day  well  laden,  and  the  army  beef 
cattle  in  Atlanta  found  nourishment  therein.  The  next  day 
Hood’s  army  was  reported  as  being  near  Resaea. 

As  proof  that  Sherman  was  not  desiring  to  leave  his  Armies 
of  the  Cumberland,  of  the  Ohio,  and  of  the  Tennessee  in  desti- 
tute condition,  the  report  of  the  commissary  of  subsistence 
showed  the  supplies  in  store  at  Chattanooga  at  this  date  as, 
3,000,000  rations  of  meat ; 3,500,000  of  bread-stuffs ; 3,500,000 


212 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


of  coffee ; 7,000,000  of  sugar ; 500,000  each  of  beaus  and  rice ; 
5,000,000  each  of  candles,  soap,  and  salt ; 1,000,000  of  whisky ; 
also  vegetables  of  different  kinds. 

A new  medical  director,  Surgeon  H.  E.  Goodman,  U.  S. 
Volunteers,  reported  October  15th  according  to  orders  to  Gen- 
eral Slocum  who  made  the  announcement  to  all  of  his  command 
in  his  general  orders  of  this  date,  closing  with  the  sentence  ‘He 
will  be  obeyed  and  respected  accordingly.’ 

Another  foraging  expedition  of  wagons  strongly  guarded 
by  infantry  and  eight  pieces  of  artillery,  was  started  at  6 a.  m. 
October  16th  by  Slocum.  Not  having  received  any  report  about 
the  enemy  for  some  days,  he  inquired  of  Resaea  by  telegraph. 
General  Raum  replied  that  the  enemy  was  to  the  northward 
where  he  had  done  some  harm  to  two  weak  garrisons  and  to 
the  railroad.  A dispatch  soon  followed  from  Sherman  then  at 
Ship’s  Gap,  informing  that  he  had  driven  the  enemy  from  that 
place  this  morning,  and  from  the  country  around,  and  that  the 
enemy  was  likely  to  go  south.  In  characteristic  vein  Sherman 
continued:  “I  think  I will  leave  you  at  Atlanta  and  will  swing 
around  in  the  country  for  forage  and  adventure.  Look  out  for 
yourself  and  hold  Atlanta.  You  have  plenty  of  grub,  and  I 
will  turn  up  somewhere.”  In  other  words  Sherman,  while  shap- 
ing conditions  favorable  to  the  ‘March  to  the  Sea’  he  was  seek- 
ing a little  preliminary  experience  in  foraging  while  seek- 
ing the  enemy  in  his  own  chosen  field.  But  Hood  ‘would  not 
fight,  though  offered  battle  repeatedly.’ 

On  the  18th  of  October,  Slocum  wrote  to  Sherman  who  was 
then  at  Chattanooga  Creek,  that  he  had  received  Montgomery, 
Alabama,  newspapers  of  the  12th  to  15th  inclusive,  the  copy  of 
the  14th  containing  a paragraph  reading  as  follows:  “We 
suspect  Hood  will  make  Blue  Mountains  his  base  for  the  fall  and 
winter  and  hold  himself  in  a position  to  harass  Sherman’s  rear 
and  keep  his  railroad  communications  disabled.”  Slocum 
quoted  much  more  from  the  enemy’s  papers,  and  then  wrote  for 
himself,  that  “If  Hood  goes  to  Blue  Mountain  I would  like  to 
take  two  divisions  of  troops  and  strike  out  for  Macon  and 
Milledgeville.  One  division  in  our  new  works,  with  all  of  our 
surplus  artillery,  can  hold  Atlanta,  and  I believe  I can  go 
through  the  State  with  two  good  divisions.  I can  there  get  a 


1864  PROPOSES  EXPEDITION  THROUGH  GEORGIA  213 


new  outfit  of  horses  and  mules  and  damage  the  enemy  seriously 
by  destroying  the  railroad,  etc.,  even  if  I fail  in  capturing  either 
Macon  or  Milledgeville.  1 am  positive  they  have  no  force  in  this 
section  of  the  State  other  than  Iverson’s  Cavalry.  Let  me  try  it.  I 
will  return  if  I become  satisfied  I am  hazarding  too  much.”84 

General  Slocum  at  this  time  was  not  informed  of  the  Sher- 
man-Grant  arrangement,  nor  had  Sherman  at  any  time  informed 
him  of  his  desires,  he  having  been  distant  with  much  else  to 
communicate.  It  will,  therefore,  be  but  proper  to  give  to  Gen- 
eral Slocum  the  honor,  with  General  Sherman  of  having  con- 
ceived the  same  desirability  of  striking  the  enemy  where  it  would 
do  the  most  good  to  the  Union  cause.  To  this  sincere  and  con- 
fident appeal  of  Slocum,  Sherman  replied  the  20th  from  Gavles- 
ville,  Alabama,  evading  the  cpiestion.  He  requested  Slocum  to 
use  all  his  energies  in  sending  northward  everything  not  needed 
at  Atlanta,  adding  tersely  ‘I  will  take  your  corps  along.’  In 
this  writing  Slocum  was  further  asked  to  send  northward  all 
sick  and  wounded  soldiers  as  soon  as  the  railroad,  then  about 
repaired,  was  open ; to  keep  out  strong  foraging  parties ; to  re- 
tain 1,500,000  rations  of  breadstuffs,  coffee,  sugar  and  salt; 
500,000  rations  of  salt  meat,  and  to  send  all  other  foodstuffs 
northward.  He  was  also  to  have  all  the  lightest  pontoon  bridges 
and  trains  ready,  all  else  to  be  sent  to  the  rear  or  destroyed. 

General  Sherman  was  planning  to  be  near  Atlanta,  and 
ready  to  take  up  the  grand  march  by  November  1st.  The 
enemy  had  again  refused  to  accept  battle,  and  had  retreated 
down  the  Coosa  River  toward  Gadsden.  General  Slocum  was 
gaining  momentum  in  the  foraging  business  by  experience.  Oc- 
tober 20th  at  6 a.  M.  he  started  an  expedition  with  500  or  more 
wagons  out  the  Decatur  road  with  infantry,  cavalry,  and  artil- 
lery guards ; and  with  even  stricter  detail  in  parking  the  empty 
and  loaded  wagons  while  detachments  of  soldiers  and  wagons 
were  sent  in  different  directions  from  the  main  guard.  The 
average  prescribed  task  was  to  load  150  wagons  per  day,  if  not 
molested  by  the  enemy. 

Sherman  outlined  his  plans  for  preparation  and  for  the 
March  to  the  Sea  October  20th  to  Thomas,  commander  of  the 
Department  of  the  Cumberland,  that  he  might  be  prepared  to 
spare  two  corps  from  his  army  to  accompany  Sherman  on  this 


214 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


proposed  campaign;  the  XIYtli  Corps  under  General  Jefferson 
C.  Davis,  and  the  XXth  Corps  under  General  Slocum.  The 
desire  as  then  expressed  was  to  capture  Macon,  Augusta,  and 
probably  Savannah  and  Charleston ; but  he  ‘ ‘ would  keep  in 
mind  the  alternatives  of  the  mouth  of  the  Appalachicola  River 
and  Mobile.  By  this  I propose  to  demonstrate  the  vulnerability 
of  the  South,  and  make  its  inhabitants  feel  that  war  and  in- 
dividual ruin  are  synonymous  terms.”85 

General  A.  S.  Williams  commanding  the  1st  Division  of 
Slocum’s  XXth  Corps,  was  directed  October  22nd  to  have  one 
of  the  brigades  of  his  division  in  readiness  to  march  at  once  with 
three  day’s  rations;  that  he  call  in  the  fatigue  details;  and 
that  the  commanding  officer  of  the  brigade  detailed  would  re- 
port at  once  to  General  Slocum’s  headquarters.  Such  unpre- 
meditated reconnoissances  were  not  infrequent. 

General  Sherman  wrote  in  high  spirits  from  Gaylesville, 
Alabama,  October  23rd,  congratulating  Slocum  on  his  success 
in  foraging,  and  he  requested  its  continuance;  and  that  the  for- 
agers be  imbued  with  the  sentiment  ‘if  Georgia  can  afford  to 
break  our  railroads,  she  can  afford  to  feed  us.’  Slocum  kept 
increasing  the  number  of  his  wagons  sent  for  forage  until  they 
numbered  as  high  as  700  in  each  expedition.  The  policy  yet 
was  to  gather  all  the  supplies  possible  in  every  direction,  to  re- 
call all  convalescent  and  furloughed  men,  with  new  recruits,  to 
strengthen  the  Armies  of  the  Tennessee,  the  Cumberland  and  of 
the  Ohio,  as  well  as  of  Sherman’s  detachments,  that  the  latter 
could  be  spared  for  Georgia  and  other  parts  of  the  South.  The 
remaining  convalescents  and  other  men  at  Atlanta  not  able  to 
withstand  active  duty  in  the  field,  were  sent  northward  by  Slo- 
cum October  29th. 

The  cavalry  of  both  friend  and  foe  occasionally  captured  a 
few  prisoners,  from  whom  the  position  and  trend  of  each  army 
were  quite  accurately  learned.  The  enemy  thus  learned  of 
Sherman’s  intended  march  through  Georgia  from  prisoners  cap- 
tured from  his  immediate  command,  as  early  as  October  28tli, 
when  Wheeler  so  reported  to  Hood.86 

All  recruits,  volunteers  and  drafted  men,  to  fill  the  desired 
quota  of  the  four  infantry  corps  for  the  special  march  through 
Georgia,  were  hurried  forward  October  29th,  that  their  drillings 


1864 


PREPARATIONS  FOR  GREAT  MARCH 


215 


and  discipline  in  their  new  surroundings  might  be  begun  as  early 
as  practicable. 

General  Slocum’s  effective  force  in  and  immediately  around 
Atlanta  October  31st  was  as  follows : Headquarters  21  officers 
and  219  enlisted  men;  Provost  Guard  33  officers  711  men;  1st 
Division  279  officers  4,681  men;  llnd  Division  231  officers  4,538 
men;  Illrd  Division,  244  officers  4,507  men.  Total  13,340.  The 
number  present  and  absent  was  28,443. 

The  effective  force  of  the  XIVth  Corps  October  31st,  was : 
Headquarters’  officers  92;  enlisted  men  883;  infantry  officers, 
535,  enlisted  men,  10,620.  The  recruits,  however,  soon  added 
materially  to  the  numbers  in  the  several  ranks. 

General  Slocum  sent  out  a strong  foraging  force  November 
1st  accompanied  by  a force  prepared  to  wreck  the  Augusta  rail- 
road eastward  from  Lithonia.  This  wrecking  force  Avas  in- 
structed to  burn  eAmry  tie  and  thereby  heat  the  rails  in  their 
middles  so  they  could  be  readily  bent  and  twisted  around  nearby 
trees. 

About  this  time  Slocum  was  directed  by  Sherman  to  pre- 
pare for  ‘the  absolute  destruction  of  Atlanta’  railroad  tracks, 
depots,  shops,  houses,  cars  not  wanted  for  sending  to  Chatta- 
nooga men,  stores,  artillery,  and  whatever  else  there  that  Avas 
of  use  to  the  Union  troops  in  Tennessee.  It  Avas  the  desire  to 
have  eA^erything  shipped  within  five  days.  This  day,  November 
1st,  from  5,000  to  8,000  of  the  enemy  were  reported  to  Slocum 
as  being  at  Stone  Mountain,  but  they  were  not  attracted  nearer 
Atlanta.  Special  field  orders  were  published  the  4th  regarding 
supplies  to  be  retained,  reducing  eArerything  to  the  necessary 
limitation,  and  the  sending  northward  of  all  camp  and  garri- 
son equippage,  boxes,  chests,  trunks,  and  all  other  articles  that 
would  encumber  the  wagons  on  the  long  march.  The  railroad 
betAveen  Resaca  and  Etowah  bridge  was  to  be  left  undisturbed. 
The  bridge  as  Resaca  and  the  iron  north  of  it  were  to  be  taken 
to  Chattanooga.  The  road  from  Etowah  bridge  to  Atlanta  Avas 
to  be  destroyed.  Slocum’s  XIVth  Corps  was  to  do  this  work 
between  Etowah  and  Big  Shanty,  and  his  XXth  Corps  from 
the  Chattahoochee  into  and  including  Atlanta. 

All  army  commanders  were  enjoined  to  observe  as  much 
caution  and  secrecy  as  possible,  and  to  see  that  their  com- 


216 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1861 


mands  acted  with  the  utmost  energy,  inasmuch  as  from  the  mo- 
ment of  beginning  the  severing  of  the  connection  with  their 
comrades  to  the  northward,  every  hour  of  time  must  be  devoted 
to  the  success  of  their  isolated  forward  movement. 

CHAPTER  XXXYI 

Prepares  to  Sever  All  Union  Communications 

•General  Slocum  moved  his  loaded  wagon  train  and  the 
XXth  Corps  November  5th,  out  along  the  McDonough  road 
about  three  miles  from  Atlanta,  in  which  was  left  only  his  Pro- 
vost Guard  and  a division  of  cavalry  under  General  Kenner 
Garrard.  After  Slocum’s  infantry  had  taken  position  in  the 
country,  as  the  first  step  of  all  toward  Savannah,  General  Kil- 
patrick, commander  of  the  Cavalry  Corps,  ordered  Garrard  to 
take  his  command  to  Marietta.  Slocum  interposed  and  tele- 
graphed to  Sherman,  who  must  needs  have  at  all  times  knowl- 
edge of  the  position  of  all  his  forces  that  if  the  cavalry  was 
called  away  he  should  take  his  infantry  back  within  the  city  to 
guard  against  dashes  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry.  Reply  was  soon 
received  that  the  cavalry  would  remain,  and  be  reorganized 
there.  Slocum  then  ordered  the  cavalry  to  send  scouting  par- 
ties November  6tli  on  all  the  roads  leading  south  and  east  of  his 
troops  and  around  the  city. 

The  XXIIIrd  Army  Corps,  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  was 
at  this  time  in  need  of  a worthy  division  commander,  and  Gen- 
eral Slocum  was  asked  if  he  could  supply  the  want.  General 
Thomas  H.  Ruger  a brigade  commander  in  Slocum’s  XXth 
Corps,  an  officer  worthy  of  this  preferment,  was  reluctantly  sent 
by  Slocum  to  be  transferred  to  General  Schofield’s  headquarters 
at  Nashville  November  6th.  This  day  General  Slocum  ordered 
his  XXth  Corps  to  move  back  within  the  fortifications  of  At- 
lanta. The  facility  and  orderly  way  with  which  this  movement 
was  made  was  very  pleasing  to  the  commander  of  the  corps. 
Each  division  general  was  ordered  to  keep  his  wagons  loaded, 
and  to  carefully  examine  all  loads,  that  they  might  be  kept  free 
from  all  prohibited  baggage  and  stores.  The  700  effective  cav- 
alrymen were  continued  in  reconnaissance  duty,  and  their  num- 
ber was  increased  by  new  arrivals. 


1864 


THE  LAST  LETTER  HOME 


217 


The  enemy  was  kept  well  informed  by  General  Wheeler’s 
cavalry  of  every  movement  of  the  Union  forces.  Hood’s  orders 
were  to  concentrate  the  Confederate  forces  to  oppose  in  every 
possible  manner  any  southward  movement,  by  damaging  the 
Union  forces  in  every  possible  way.87 

General  Sherman  had  been  very  busy  every  day,  and  much 
of  the  nights,  in  choosing  the  officers  and  planning  the  organiza- 
tion of  two  armies  from  his  several  commands  to  accompany 
him  through  Georgia ; and  also  to  strengthen  his  other  armies 
northward  that  they  might  hold  Mississippi  and  the  other  con- 
quered States  north  and  west.  He  telegraphed  to  Slocum  No- 
vember 7th,  inquiring  about  the  railroad  east  of  Lithonia,  and 
regarding  his  condition  for  the  march.  Slocum’s  reply  was  terse 
and  satisfactory,  namely:  'Taken  up.  I am  ready.’  Another 
dispatch  from  Sherman  the  same  day,  read  that  he  had  directed 
Captain  Orlando  M.  Poe,  Chief  Engineer,  to  destroy  Atlanta ; 
and  to  be  ready  to  start  on  the  march  the  10th. 88  Sherman  also 
made  effort  this  day  “to  get  about  a dozen  bold  men,  soldiers  or 
citizens,  either  for  pay  or  for  adventure,  to  start  south  from 
Rome  and  break  up  the  telegraph  wire  between  Montgomery  and 
Columbus,  and  then  overtake  us  somewhere  about  Macon.” 

General  Slocum  wrote  to  his  wife  at  their  home  in  Syracuse, 
New  York,  November  7th,  in  part  as  follows : 

The  last  train  for  the  North  leaves  here  to-morrow  morning.  Our 
soldiers  are  scattered  along  the  railroad  a hundred  miles  north,  and  as  soon 
as  that  train  passes  the  work  of  destruction  will  commence.  The  railroad 
will  be  completely  destroyed  and  every  bridge  burned.  Then  both  armies 
(the  Armies  of  the  Tennessee  and  of  Georgia)  will  assemble  here,  and 
after  destroying  this  city  will  commence  the  march.  I fear  their  track 
will  be  one  of  desolation. 

I have  been  to  the  railroad  depot  for  the  past  three  days  several 
t’mes,  and  have  witnessed  many  sad  and  some  ludicrous  scenes.  All  citi- 
zens (white  and  black)  begin  to  apprehend  that  something  is  about  to 
happen.  The  few  white  people  remaining  after  their  families  were  sent 
away,  are  alarmed,  and  many  are  leaving  the  city,  giving  up  houses,  lands, 
furniture,  negroes,  and  all.  The  black  want  to  go  North,  and  the  Car 
House  is  surrounded  by  them.  Hundreds  of  cars  are  literally  packed  with 
them  and  their  dirty  bundles,  inside  and  outside.  Old  toothless  hags,  lit- 
tle pickaninnies,  fat  wenches  of  all  shades,  from  light  brown  to  jet  black, 
are  piled  up  together  with  their  old  bags,  bundles,  broken  chairs,  etc. 
Some  are  gnawing  old  bones,  some  squatted  by  the  cars  making  hoe-cakes, 


218 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


some  crying  for  food  which  we  cannot  supply.  Many  of  the  white  people 
are  as  anxious  to  get  North  as  are  the  darks,  and  gladly  accept  a place  in 
a car  reeking  with  the  odor  peculiar  to  ‘ the  American  of  African  de- 
scent. ’ It  is  a sad  sight,  but  I anticipate  seeing  many  such  before 
spring. 

I wish  for  humanity’s  sake  that  this  sad  war  could  be  brought  to  a 
close.  While  laboring  to  make  it  successful,  I shall  do  all  in  my  power  to 
mitigate  its  horrors. 

Rain  fell  November  8th,  which  was  considered  favorable  as 
likely  to  improve  the  roads  for  marching.  Four  telegraph  and 
signal  cipher  operators  were  distributed  this  day  to  the  head- 
quarters of  Sherman,  Slocum,  Howard,  and  Kilpatrick.  The 
following  announcement  was  issued  the  nest  day: 

Headquarters  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi, 

In  the  Field,  Kingston,  Georgia,  November  8,  1864. 
Special  Field  Orders  No.  119. 

I.  The  general  commanding  deems  it  proper  at  this  time  to  inform 
the  officers  and  men  of  the  XIVth,  XVth,  XVIItb,  and  XXth  Corps,  that 
he  has  organized  them  into  an  army  for  a special  purpose,  well  known  to 
the  War  Department  and  to  General  Grant.  It  is  sufficient  for  you  to 
know  that  it  involves  a departure  from  our  present  base,  and  a long  and 
difficult  march  to  a new  one.  All  the  chances  of  war  have  been  considered 
and  provided  for,  as  far  as  human  sagacity  can.  All  he  asks  of  you  is  to 
maintain  that  discipline,  patience,  and  courage  which  have  characterized 
you  in  the  past,  and  he  hopes,  through  you,  to  strike  a blow  at  our  enemy 
that  will  have  a natural  effect  in  producing  what  we  all  so  much  desire — 
his  complete  overthrow.  Of  all  things  the  most  important  is  that  the  men, 
during  marches  and  in  camp,  keep  their  places  and  not  scatter  about  as 
stragglers  or  foragers,  to  be  picked  up  by  a hostile  people  in  detail.  It  is 
also  of  the  utmost  importance  that  our  wagons  should  not  be  loaded  with 
anything  but  provisions  and  ammunition.  All  surplus  servants,  non-com- 
batants, and  refugees  should  now  go  to  the  rear,  and  none  should  be  en- 
couraged to  encumber  us  on  the  march.  At  some  future  time  we  will  be 
enabled  to  provide  for  the  poor  whites  and  blacks  who  seek  to  escape  the 
bondage  under  which  they  are  now  suffering.  With  these  few  simple 
cautions  in  your  minds,  he  hopes  to  lead  you  to  achievements  equal  in 
importance  to  those  of  the  past. 

By  order  of 

Maj.  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman. 

L.  M.  Dayton,  Aide-de-Camp. 

These  orders  were  issued  at  this  date  only  to  the  three  prin- 
cipal commanders,  Slocum,  Ploward,  and  Kilpatrick,  the  two  first 
named,  at  least,  having  been  personally  and  freely  consulted  fre- 


1864 


HISTORIC  FIELD  ORDERS 


219 


quently  of  late  regarding  the  great  undertaking,  and  had  been 
in  full  and  hearty  sympathy  with  it  and  with  the  details  of  the 
plans.  November  10th  these  orders  were  published  to  the  other 
officers  down  to  brigade  commanders. 

In  such  great  undertaking,  involving  many  different  sub- 
ordinate commands  in  different  places,  with  the  sick,  wounded, 
and  partly  convalescent,  and  with  irregular  train  service,  some 
were  sure  to  be  behind  in  their  preparations  for  the  great 
change.  To  avoid  such  delays,  Sherman  had  given  definite 
orders  early,  and  had  repeated  them  from  time  to  time  that  there 
might  be  no  stress  or  confusion  at  the  last  moment.  He  wrote 
November  9th,  “If  the  rain  clears  away  I will  not  delay  for  any 
cause,  but  you  can  use  cars  that  come  to  the  best  advantage. 
If  we  have  cars  we  will  ship  the  arms ; if  not  we  will  destroy 
them;  but  I will  delay  for  nothing  when  the  time  comes;  same 
with  the  sick.  The  doctors  have  had  plenty  of  notice.” 

Special  Field  Orders  No.  120,  were  issued  November  9tli, 
reading  as  follows : 

I.  For  the  purpose  of  military  operations,  this  army  is  divided  into 
two  wings:  The  Eight  Wing,  Maj.  Gen.  O.  O.  Howard  commanding  the 
XVth  and  XYIlth  Corps;  the  Left  Wing,  Maj.  Gen.  H.  W.  Slocum  com- 
manding the  XIVth  and  XXth  Corps. 

II.  The  habitual  order  of  march  will  be,  wherever  practicable,  by 
four  roads,  as  near  parallel  as  possible  and  converging  at  points  hereafter 
to  be  indicated  in  orders.  The  cavalry,  Brig.  Gen.  Kilpatrick  commanding, 
will  receive  special  orders  from  the  commander-in-chief. 

III.  There  will  be  no  general  train  of  supplies,  but  each  corps  will 
have  its  ammunition  train  and  provision  train  distributed  habitually  as 
follows:  Behind  each  regiment  should  follow  one  wagon  and  one  ambu- 
lance ; behind  each  brigade  should  follow  a due  proportion  of  ammunition 
wagons,  provision  wagons,  and  ambulances.  In  case  of  danger  each  army 
corps  commander  should  change  this  order  of  march  by  having  his  advance 
and  rear  brigade  unincumbered  by  wheels.  The  separate  columns  will  start 
habitually  at  7 A.  m.,  and  make  about  fifteen  miles  per  day,  unless  other- 
wise fixed  in  orders. 

IV.  The  army  will  forage  liberally  on  the  country  during  the  march. 
To  this  end  each  brigade  commander  will  organize  a good  and  sufficient 
foraging  party,  under  the  command  of  one  or  more  discreet  officers,  who 
will  gather,  near  the  route  traveled,  corn  or  forage  of  any  kind,  meat  of 
any  kind,  vegetables,  corn-meal,  or  whatever  is  needed  by  the  command, 
aiming  at  all  times  to  keep  in  the  wagons  at  least  ten  days’  provisions  for 
the  command  and  three  days’  forage.  Soldiers  must  not  enter  the  dwell- 


220 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


ings  of  the  inhabitants,  or  commit  any  trespass,  but  during  a halt  or  en- 
campment they  may  be  permitted  to  gather  turnips,  potatoes,  and  other 
vegetables,  and  to  drive  in  stock  in  sight  of  their  camp.  To  regular  for- 
aging parties  must  be  intrusted  the  gathering  of  provisions  and  forage  at 
any  distance  from  the  road  traveled. 

V.  To  army  corps  commanders  alone  is  intrusted  the  power  to  destroy 
mills,  houses,  cotton-gins,  etc.,  and  for  them  this  general  principle  is  laid 
down : In  districts  and  neighborhoods  where  the  army  is  unmolested  no 
destruction  of  such  property  should  be  permitted;  but  should  guerrillas  or 
bushwhackers  molest  our  march,  or  should  the  inhabitants  burn  bridges, 
obstruct  roads,  or  otherwise  manifest  local  hostility,  then  army  commanders 
should  order  and  enforce  a devastation  more  or  less  relentless  according  to 
the  measure  of  such  hostility. 

YI.  As  for  horses,  mules,  wagons,  etc.,  belonging  to  the  inhabitants, 
the  cavalry  and  artillery  may  appropriate  freely  and  without  limit,  dis- 
criminating, however,  between  the  rich,  who  are  usually  hostile,  and  the  poor 
or  industrious,  usually  neutral  or  friendly.  Foraging  parties  may  also  take 
mules  or  horses  to  replace  the  jaded  animals  of  their  trains,  or  to  serve 
as  pack  mules  for  the  regiments  or  brigades.  In  all  foraging,  of  whatever 
kind,  the  parties  engaged  will  refrain  .from  abusive  or  threatening  lan- 
guage, and  may,  where  the  officer  in  command  thinks  proper,  give  written 
certificates  of  the  facts,  but  no  receipts,  and  they  will  endeavor  to  leave 
with  each  family  a reasonable  portion  for  their  maintenance. 

VII.  Negroes  who  are  able-bodied  and  can  be  of  service  to  the  several 
columns  may  be  taken  along,  but  each  army  commander  will  bear  in  mind 
that  the  question  of  supplies  is  a very  important  one  and  that  his  first  duty 
is  to  see  to  them  who  bear  arms. 

VIII.  The  organization  at  once  of  a good  pioneer  battalion  for  each 
army  corps,  composed  if  possible  of  negroes,  should  be  attended  to.  This 
battalion  should  follow  the  advance  guard,  should  repair  roads,  and  double 
them  if  possible,  so  that  the  columns  will  not  be  delayed  after  reaching  bad 
places.  Also,  army  commanders  should  study  the  habit  of  giving  the  artil- 
lery and  wagons  the  road,  and  marching  their  troops  on  one  side,  and  also 
instruct  their  men  to  assist  wagons  at  steep  hills  or  bad  crossing  of  streams. 

IX.  Captain  O.  M.  Poe,  chief  engineer,  will  assign  to  each  wing  of 
the  army  a pontoon  train,  fully  equipped  and  organized,  and  the  com- 
manders thereof  will  see  to  its  being  properly  protected  at  all  times." 


Bidge  of  the  XlVth  Army  Corps 


1864  COMMAND  DOUBLED  FOR  GREAT  MARCH  221 


CHAPTER  XXXVII 

Annoyances.  Army  of  Georgia  by  Regiments 

General  Slocum  reported  to  General  Sherman  November 
9th  that  detachments  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  passed  rapidly  in 
front  of  his  line,  at  long  distance,  and  nearly  to  the  Eastport 
road.  He  captured  some  prisoners  who  reported  that  the  enemy 
consisted  of  Iverson’s  brigade  of  cavalry  800  strong,  Young’s 
cavalry  from  Athens  800  strong,  and  six  pieces  of  artillery. 
They  were  surprised,  having  been  informed  that  the  Union 
forces  had  gone  north,  leaving  but  a small  rear  guard  at  Atlanta. 

General  Sherman  was  much  annoyed  by  the  slow  progress 
made  by  the  railway  operatives,  and  those  to  whom  were  in- 
trusted the  removal  to  Chattanooga  of  munitions  that  he  could 
not  take  with  him  but  that  should  be  conserved.  He  again  gave 
notice  to  Slocum,  Howard,  and  Kilpatrick,  to  hold  every  one  of 
their  commands  in  readiness  ‘to  move  on  an  hour’s  notice.’ 

Copious  rains  again  caused  floods  which  swept  away  pon- 
toon bridges,  and  stopped  the  progress  toward  Atlanta  of  1,500 
beef  cattle.  This  caused  a change  of  the  course  of  the  cattle  to 
the  northward  for  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland ; Sherman  being 
at  this  time  convinced  that  beef  cattle  could  not  keep  pace  with 
the  armies  through  Georgia.  The  thought  occurred  to  him,  that 
his  army  could  get  a share  of  meat  in  a country  where  a million 
of  people  lived. 

The  10th  of  November  Sherman  wrote  to  Slocum  to  publish 
Special  Field  Orders  Number  119  to  his  soldiers  generally,  and 
to  furnish  copies  of  those  of  Number  120  to  all  of  his  officers 
down  to  and  including  the  commanders  of  brigades,  but  to  have 
it  withheld  from  the  troops  for  a few  days. 

At  this  date  Slocum’s  command,  the  XIVth  and  XXth 
Corps,  the  former  with  the  badge  of  the  Acorn,  and  the  latter 
of  the  Star,  was  designated  The  Left  Wing  of  the  Army  of 
Georgia.  Later  its  official  name  was  The  Army  of  Georgia. 
Recruits  to  enlarge  The  Army  of  Georgia  had  arrived  at  Chat- 
tanooga, and  General  James  B.  Steedman  in  charge  there  was 
directed  to  organize  them  into  four  battalions  and  report  them 
to  General  Thomas. 


222 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


General  Grant  wrote  to  the  Secretary  of  War  November 
11th  regarding  full  reports  of  Sherman’s  proposed  march 
through  Georgia  being  published  the  previous  day  in  the  news- 
papers of  the  North,  which  he  styled  the  most  contraband  news 
he  had  seen  during  the  war.  He  was  fearful  that  such  publica- 
tion would  lead  to  the  gathering  of  a force  by  the  South  that 
might  be  disastrous  to  Sherman’s  army.  Secretary  Stanton  laid 
the  blame  of  the  publication  largely  to  Sherman  and  to  his  de- 
tached and  furloughed  officers  who  had  retailed  it  through  the 
North.  Grant  replied  to  Stanton  that  the  publication  was  first 
made  in  Indianapolis  on  authority  of  army  officers  direct  from 
Chattanooga.  He  sent  a staff  officer  to  ascertain  the  names  of 
these  divulging  officers  whom,  he  declared,  he  would  send  to  the 
Dry  Tortugas,  Florida,  for  duty  without  commands  for  awhile 
as  a warning  to  others.  They  were  not  caught. 

General  Slocum  issued  his  first  general  orders  under  the 
caption,  Headquarters  Left  Wing,  Army  of  Georgia,  Atlanta 
November  11th.  They  announced  his  assuming  command  of  the 
XIVth  and  XXth  Corps  for  special  service;  and  that  his  staff 
officers  would  be : Lieutenant-Colonel  H.  C.  Rodgers,  Assistant 
Adjutant-General;  Major  E.  W.  Guindon,  Captain  W.  W. 
Moseley,  and  Captain  W.  G.  Tracy,  Aides-de-Camp. 

The  last  railway  train  having  departed  from  Atlanta  No- 
vember 13th,  General  Slocum  directed  General  Williams  com- 
manding his  XXth  Corps  to  begin  at  once  the  destruction  of  the 
road  between  Atlanta  and  the  Chattahoochee  Bridge,  and  to 
bend  the  rails.  The  wagon  and  railway  bridges  were  to  be  left 
for  the  on  coming  of  Colonel  Buell  of  the  Pontoniers.  By  the 
proper  placing  of  different  brigades,  the  work  progressed 
rapidly,  without  fear  of  thus  shutting  themselves  off  from  their 
friends  and  in  with  their  enemies. 

The  organization  of  the  Left  Wing  of  the  Army  of  Georgia 
for  the  march,  was  as  follows : 

Major-General  Henry  W.  Slocum  commander,  with  Escort  of  the  1st 
Alabama  Cavalry,  Colonel  George  E.  Spencer,  and  the  9th  Illinois  Mounted 
Infantry,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Samuel  T.  Hughes.  Pontoniers,  the  58th 
Indiana,  Colonel  George  B.  Buell.  Engineers,  1st  Michigan  (detachment) 
Major  John  B.  Yates. 


1864 


COMMAND  BY  REGIMENTS 


223 


XlVth  Corps,  Bvt.  Maj.  Gen.  Jefferson  C.  Davis.  1st  Division,  Brig. 
Gen.  'William  P.  Carlin.  1st  Brigade,  Col.  Harrison  C.  Hobart}  with  the 
104th  Hlinois,  Lieut.  Col.  Douglas  Hapeman;  42nd  Indiana,  Capt.  Gideon 

B.  Kellams;  88th  Indiana,  Lieut.  Col.  Cyrus  E.  Briant;  33rd  Ohio,  Capt. 
Joseph  Hinson;  94th  Ohio,  Lieut.  Col.  Rue  P.  Hutchins;  and  the  21st  Wis- 
consin, Lieut.  Col.  Michael  H.  Fitch.  Ilnd  Brigade,  Lieut.  Col.  Joseph  H. 
Brigham;  with  the  13th  Michigan,  Lieut.  Col.  Theodoric  R.  Palmer;  21st 
Michigan,  Maj.  Benton  D.  Fox;  and  the  69th  Ohio,  Capt.  Lewis  E.  Hicks. 
Illrd  Brigade,  Col.  Henry  A.  Hambright  and  Lieut.  Col.  David  Miles; 
with  the  38th  Indiana,  Capt.  James  H.  Low;  21st  Ohio,  Lieut.  Col.  Arnold 
McMahan;  74th  Ohio,  Maj.  Joseph  Fisher  and  Maj.  Robert  P.  Findley; 
79th  Pennsylvania,  Lieut.  Col.  David  Miles  and  Maj.  Michael  H.  Loeher. 

Ilnd  Division,  Brig.  Gen.  James  D.  Morgan.  1st  Brigade,  Col.  Robert 
F.  Smith;  with  the  16th  Hlinois,  Lieut.  Col.  James  B.  Cahill;  60th  Illinois, 
Col.  William  B.  Anderson;  10th  Michigan,  Col.  James  M.  Lumm;  14th 
Michigan,  Maj.  Thomas  C.  Fitzgibbon;  and  the  17th  New  York,  Lieut. 
Col.  Joel  O.  Martin.  Ilnd  Brigade,  Lieut.  Col.  John  S.  Pearce;  with  the 
34th  Hlinois,  Capt.  Page  Ege;  78th  Illinois,  Lieut.  Col.  Maris  R.  Yernon; 
98th  Ohio,  Capt.  James  R.  McLaughlin;  108th  Ohio,  Maj.  Frederick  Beck; 
113th  Ohio,  Capt.  Toland  Jones,  and  the  121st  Ohio,  Maj.  Aaron  B.  Robin- 
son. Illrd  Brigade,  Lieut.  Col.  James  W.  Langley;  with  the  85th  Illinois, 
Maj.  Robert  G.  Rider;  86th  Illinois,  Lieut.  Col.  Allen  L.  Fahnestock;  110th 
Hlinois  (four  companies),  Lieut.  Col.  E.  Hibbard  Topping;  125th  Illi- 
nois, Capt.  George  W.  Cook;  22nd  Indiana,  Capt.  William  H.  Snodgrass; 
and  the  52nd  Ohio,  Lieut.  Col.  Charles  W.  Clancy. 

Illrd  Division,  Brig.  Gen.  Absalom  Baird.  1st  Brigade,  Col.  Morton 

C.  Hunter;  with  the  82nd  Indiana,  Lieut.  Col.  John  M.  Matheny;  23rd 
Missouri,  Lieut.  Col.  Quin  Morton;  17th  Ohio,  Lieut.  Col.  Benjamin  H. 
Showers;  31st  Ohio,  Capt.  Michael  Stone;  89th  Ohio,  Lieut.  Col.  William 
H.  Glenn;  and  the  92nd  Ohio  (with  Company  A,  24th  Illinois  attached), 
Col.  Benjamin  D.  Fearing.  Ilnd  Brigade,  Col.  Newell  Gleason;  with  the 
75th  Indiana,  Maj.  Cyrus  J.  McCole;  87th  Indiana,  Lieut.  Col.  Edwin  P. 
Hammond;  101st  Indiana,  Lieut.  Col.  Thomas  Doan;  2nd  Minnesota, 
Lieut.  Col.  Judson  W.  Bishop;  and  the  105th  Ohio,  Lieut.  Col.  George  T. 
Perkins.  Illrd  Brigade,  Col.  George  P.  Este;  with  the  74th  Indiana, 
Lieut.  Col.  Thomas  Morgan;  18th  Kentucky,  Lieut.  Col.  Hubbard  K.  Mil- 
ward;  14th  Ohio,  Lieut.  Col.  Albert  Moore;  and  the  38th  Ohio,  Capt. 
Charles  M.  Gilbert. 

Artillery,  Maj.  Charles  Houghtaling;  with  the  1st  Illinois  Light, 
Battery  C (with  detachment  of  11th  Ohio  Infantry  attached),  Lieut. 
Joseph  R.  Channel;  2nd  Illinois  Light.  Battery  I,  Lieut.  Alonzo  W.  Coe; 
Indiana  Light,  19th  Battery,  Capt.  William  P.  Stackhouse;  and  the  Wis- 
consin Light,  5th  Battery,  Lieut.  Joseph  McKnight. 

XXth  Army  Corps,  Brig.  Gen.  Alpheus  S.  Williams.  1st  Division, 
Brig.  Gen.  Nathaniel  J.  Jackson.  1st  Brigade,  Col.  James  L.  Selfridge; 
with  the  5th  Connecticut,  Lieut.  Col.  Henry  W.  Daboll;  123rd  New  York, 


224 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


Lieut.  Col.  .Tames  C.  Rogers;  141st  New  York,  Capt.  William  Merrell;  and 
the  46th  Pennsylvania,  Maj.  Patrick  Griffith.  Ilnd  BrigaTe,  Col.  Ezra  A. 
Carman;  with  the  2nd  Massachusetts,  Col.  William  Cogswell;  13th  New 
Jersey,  Maj.  Frederick  H.  Harris;  107th  New  York,  Capt.  Charles  J.  Fox 
and  Lieut.  Col.  Allen  N.  Sill;  150th  New  York,  Maj.  Alfred  B.  Smith  and 
Col.  John  TI.  Ketcham;  and  the  3rd  Wisconsin,  Col.  William  Hawley. 
Illrd  Brigade,  Col.  James  S.  Robinson;  with  the  82nd  Illinois,  Maj.  Ferd- 
inand IT.  Rolshausen;  101st  Illinois,  Lieut.  Col.  John  B.  LeSage;  143rd 
New  York,  Lieut.  Col.  Hezekiah  Watkins;  61st  Ohio,  Capt.  John  Garrett; 
82nd  Ohio,  Lieut.  Col.  David  Thomson;  and  31st  Wisconsin,  Col.  Francis 
IT.  West. 

Ilnd  Division,  Brig.  Gen.  John  W.  Geary.  1st  Brigade,  Col.  Ario 
Pardee,  Jr.;  with  the  5th  Ohio,  Lieut.  Col.  Robert  Kirkup;  29th  Ohio, 
Maj.  Myron  T.  Wright,  and  Capt.  Jonas  Schoonover;  66tli  Ohio,  Lieut. 
Col.  Eugene  Powell;  28th  Pennsylvania,  Col.  John  Flynn ; and  147th 
Pennsylvania  (with  detachment  of  Battery  E,  Pennsylvania  Artillery,  at- 
tached), Lieut.  Col.  John  Craig.  Ilnd  Brigade,  Col.  Patrick  H.  Jones; 
with  the  33rd  New  Jersey,  Col.  George  W.  Mindil ; 119th  New  York,  Col. 
John  T.  Lockman ; 134th  New  York,  Lieut.  Col.  Allan  H.  Jackson;  154th 
New  York,  Maj.  Lewis  D.  Warner;  73rd  Pennsylvania,  Maj.  Charles  C. 
Cresson;  and  the  109th  Pennsylvania,  Capt.  Walter  G.  Dunn.  Illrd  Bri- 
gade, Col.  Henry  A.  Barnum;  with  the  60th  New  York,  Maj.  Thomas 
Elliott;  102nd  New  York,  Lieut.  Col.  Harvey  S.  Chatfield;  137tli  New 
York,  Lieut.  Col.  Koert  S.  Van  Voorhis;  149th  New  York,  Maj.  Nicholas 
Grumbac-h;  29th  Pennsylvania,  Lieut.  Col.  Samuel  M.  Zulich,  and  the  111th 
Pennsylvania,  Lieut.  Col.  Thomas  M.  Walker. 

Illrd  Division,  Brig.  Gen.  William  T.  Ward.  1st  Brigade,  Col. 
Franklin  C.  Smith;  with  the  102nd  Illinois,  Capt.  Hiland  H.  Clay;  105th 
Illinois,  Maj.  Henry  D.  Brown ; 129th  Illinois,  Col.  Henry  Case;  70th 
Indiana,  Lieut.  Col.  Samuel  Merrill ; and  79th  Ohio,  Lieut.  Col.  Azariah 
W.  Doan.  Ilnd  Brigade,  Col.  Daniel  Dustin;  with  the  33rd  Indiana,  Capt. 
•James  E.  Burton;  85th  Indiana,  Lieut.  Col.  Alexander  B.  Crane;  19th 
Michigan,  Lieut.  Col.  John  J.  Baker,  and  the  22nd  Wisconsin,  Lieut.  Col. 
Edward  Bloodgood.  Illrd  Brigade,  Col.  Samuel  Ross;  with  the  20th 
Connecticut,  Lieut.  Col.  Philo  B.  Buckingham;  33rd  Massachusetts,  Col. 
Elisha  Doane;  136th  New  York,  Col.  Lester  B.  Faulkner;  55th  Ohio,  Lieut. 
Col.  Edwin  IT.  Powers;  73rd  Ohio,  Lieut.  Col.  Samuel  H.  Hurst;  and  the 
26th  Wisconsin,  Lieut.  Col.  Frederick  C.  Winkler. 

Artillery  Brigade,  Maj.  John  A.  Reynolds;  with  the  1st  New7  York 
Light,  Battery  I,  Capt.  Charles  E.  Winegar;  1st  New  York  Light,  Bat- 
tery M,  Lieut.  Edward  P.  Newkirk;  1st  Ohio  Light,  Battery  C,  Capt. 
Marco  B.  Gary,  and  Lieut.  Jerome  B.  Stephens;  and  the  Pennsylvania 
Light,  Battery  E,  Capt.  Thomas  S.  Sloan.90 

The  numbers  of  Slocum’s  XIYth  Corps  November  10th, 
were : Officers,  556 ; enlisted  Volunteer  Infantry,  12,397 ; Ar- 
tillery officers,  11 ; men,  388.  Those  of  the  XXth  Corps 


1864  ALL  UXIOX  COMMUNICATWXS  SEVERED  225 


were : Officers,  602 ; enlisted  Volunteer  Infantry,  12,862 ; Ar- 
tillery, officers,  25;  men,  607.  Total,  27,448  carefully  chosen 
men  of  great  efficiency.  Additions  to  these  numbers  soon  in- 
creased the  aggregate  to  about  30,000.  General  Howard’s  Right 
Wing,  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  was  about  the  same 
strength.  The  artillery  was  reduced  to  four  batteries  for  each 
corps,  each  battery  consisting  of  four  light  cannon  for  ready 
handling,  two  batteries  of  3-incli  Rodman  cannon,  and  the  other 
two  of  12-pounder  Napoleons. 

General  Judson  Kilpatrick’s  two  brigades  of  cavalry  num- 
bered about  5,500  men. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII 
The  March  to  the  Capitol  of  Georgia 

General  Slocum’s  XXtli  Corps,  the  ‘Star-badge  Corps,’  had 
been  supplied  with  new  clothing,  and  the  men  had  been  par- 
tially paid.  It  was  started  from  Atlanta  on  the  great  march  the 
morning  of  November  15th,  with  only  local  objective  points  and 
temporary  plans,  going  eastward  on  the  road  leading  through 
Decatur,  northward  from  Howard’s  Right  Wing  of  the  Army. 
The  Illrd  Brigade  of  the  1st  Division  destroyed  several  miles 
of  the  Augusta  railroad  during  the  day.  Encampment  for  the 
night  was  made  near  the  Georgia  railway,  south  of  Stone  Moun- 
tain. The  distance  traveled  was  fifteen  miles,  which  was  done 
with  great  effort  and  frequent  restings  on  account  of  the  poor 
condition  of  the  wagon  and  artillery  teams  from  their  scant  and 
not  altogether  proper  food,  the  only  kind  and  quantity  that  had 
been  available.  The  next  evening  the  camp  was  near  Rock 
Bridge  Postoffice  and  the  evening  of  the  17th  it  was  near  Cor- 
nish Creek;  and  the  next  evening  the  stop  was  three  miles  west 
of  Madison.  The  country  passed  over  these  three  days’  march 
was  hilly,  and  the  crossing  of  Yellow,  and  Little  Haynes,  rivers, 
and  of  other  streams,  was  attended  with  difficulty;  and  numer- 
ous other  delays  made  the  progress  slow  and  laborious.  This 
corps  was  accompanied  by  220  Pontoniers  with  their  train  of 
41  wagons  and  teamsters  hauling  440  feet  of  bridge,  and  boats, 
in  addition  to  the  corps’  regular  supply  train  of  wagons. 

15 


226 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


Slocum's  XIYth  Corps,  the  ‘Acorn  badge  Corps,’  arrived  at 
Atlanta  from  the  northward  early  in  the  morning  of  the  15th  of 
November,  and  it  bivouacked  in  the  eastern  suburbs.  During 
the  day  and  night  the  men  were  supplied  with  clothing,  the 
empty  wagons  were  tilled  with  provisions  here  stored  for  them, 
the  trains  were  equalized,  and  assigned  to  the  different  parts 
of  the  corps  for  the  convenience  of  marching,  for  protection,  and 
for  the  ready  distribution  of  rations  from  them.  Early  the  nest 
morning  this  corps  began  the  march  eastward  on  the  Covington 
and  Decatur  road.  At  the  starting  of  the  leading  brigade  its 
band  both  startled  and  enthused  the  soldiers  with  the  music  of 
John  Brown.  The  strain  was  instantly  caught  up  by  those  with- 
in the  hearing  of  the  band  and  it  rapidly  extended  throughout 
the  entire  corps,  the  officers  joining  in.  Sherman  was  present 
and  he  was  visibly  affected,  as  were  all  of  the  army  and  corps 
officers  who  were  informed  regarding  the  desired  extent  of  the 
movement,  and  who  fully  appreciated  the  full  significance  of  the 
great  undertaking,  for  the  good  of  the  Union  cause  if  successful, 
and  of  the  great  disaster  that  might  result  from  failure.  But, 
there  was  practically  no  thought  of  failure  by  the  officers  now, 
and  much  less  by  the  rank  and  file  who  were  so  fully  imbued 
with  confidence  in  their  officers  that  they  were  ever  ready,  and 
anxious,  to  go  wherever  their  leaders  directed,  without  explan- 
ation of  place  or  possible  results.  They  were  veterans  in  whom 
patriotism,  bravery,  and  confidence  in  their  leaders,  had  become 
personified. 

The  different  commands  averaged  the  distance  of  fifteen 
miles  during  the  day.  The  1st  Division  stopped  for  the  night  at 
Lithonia;  the  17th  it  marched  to  Yellow  River,  17  miles;  and  the 
18th  to  Covington,  8 miles,  the  Ulcofauhachee  River  at  this 
place  requiring  another  laying  of  the  corps’s  Pontoon  Bridge. 
A comrade  forager  was  killed  by  bushwhackers  near  Covington ; 
and  his  comrades  set  fire  to  all  dwellings  in  the  neighborhood 
in  retaliation.  The  19th  the  bridge  was  taken  up  and  a march 
of  18  miles  was  made  by  part  of  the  corps,  other  parts  encamp- 
ing near  Shady  Dale  after  a march  of  12  miles.  This  corps 
destroyed  the  railroad  between  Lithonia  and  Yellow  River. 

The  19th  of  November  General  Slocum  detached  General 
Geary’s  Ilnd  Division  of  the  XXth  Corps  and,  unencumbered. 


1864 


THE  HISTORIC  MARCH  TO  THE  SEA 


227 


by  its  trains,  it  destroyed  the  Georgia  railroad  bridge  over 
the  Oconee  River  and  the  wagon  bridges  found  over  this  river 
on  the  road  toward  Milledgeville.  Several  mills  and  factories 
were  also  burned  before  the  division  rejoined  its  corps  the  21st 
at  Little  River.  Probably  these  fires  spread  further  than  in- 
tended; but  the  command  could  not  remain  to  watch  distant 
buildings.  The  other  two  divisions  of  the  XXtli  Corps  passed 
through  Madison  and  encamped  four  miles  beyond.  General 
Ward’s  division  destroyed  about  six  miles  of  railroad.  Supplies 
for  both  men  and  animals  now  became  abundant.  The  evening 
of  the  20tli  the  1st  and  Illrd  Divisions  encamped  near  Eatonton, 
and  the  21st  several  miles  of  the  Eatonton  Branch  Railroad  were 
destroyed. 

The  course  of  march  each  day  was  outlined  the  preceding 
evening  by  Generals  Slocum  and  Howard,  each  for  his  ora 
command.  This  enabled  these  commanders  to  know  the  relative 
positions  of  their  corps,  divisions,  and  brigades,  practically  every 
hour,  that  any  one  or  all  could  be  called  to  another  place  in  case 
of  emergency.  It  was  the  policy  to  spread  out  on  as  nearly 
parallel  roads  as  possible  in  varying  numbers  according  to  the 
distance  of  railroad  destruction  desirable  to  accomplish,  or  the 
condition  of  the  roads,  or  the  Avant  of  passable  roads.  It  thus 
happened  that  Slocum  and  Howard’s  armies  Avere  often  widely 
separated — from  five  to  thirty  miles.  Kilpatrick’s  cavalry  Avas 
first  at  Howard’s  right  and  later  on  Slocum’s  left,  according  to 
the  shifting  of  the  enemy’s  caAralry.  The  leading  command  on 
every  road  Avas  changed  each  day.  Straggling  Avas  not  per- 
mitted. The  different  foraging  parties  enjoyed  their  Avork,  and 
considerable  rrialry  existed.  The  term  ‘bummer’  originated 
among  themselves.  Each  had  but  one  suit  of  outer  clothes  for 
their  hundreds  of  miles  of  march  through  untold  quantities  of 
mud  which  worked  entirely  through;  and  then  there  were  so 
many  thickets  of  brush  to  encounter  which  not  only  wore  but 
tore,  that,  altogether,  they  appeared  often  hideous  to  each  other. 
You  look  like  a bummer,  said  to  each  other,  Avas  sure  to  be  writ- 
ten to  their  homes  as  descriptive  of  their  appearance  and  be 
reproduced  and  garnished  in  the  newspapers.  But  they  got 
the  food  for  themselves  and  animals  which  they  went  for,  Avhen 
there  Avas  enough  outside  the  different  houses  passed  to  divide. 


228 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


They  did  not  seek  to  divide  from  the  poor.  They  were  generally 
of  good  parentage,  these  Union  volunteers,  and  very  respectable 
citizens  at  home,  and  as  soldiers  there  were  none  better.  There 
was  no  lack  of  amusement  among  themselves,  for  they  generated 
it  even  in  the  most  trying  times  of  the  march.  The  negroes, 
while  pitied,  were  at  all  times  full  of  amusement  for  them.  The 
buglers  sounded  the  call  to  get  up  each  morning,  and  the  nights’ 
camping  places  were  chosen  as  early  in  the  waning  days  as  prac- 
ticable, good  water,  fuel  for  cooking,  a sloping  dry  place  in  wet 
weather,  and  some  sheltering  trees,  being  the  chief  desire.  Not 
inJrcequently,  however,  most  of  these  favoring  conditions  were 
wanting,  even  after  a long  and  late  march.  Different  kinds  of 
domestic  animals  were  caught  and  carried  along  as  pets.  Fight- 
ing cocks  were  highly  prized  and,  altogether,  none  suffered  from 
nostalgia  or  ennui. 

On  November  22nd,  the  XNth  Corps  crossed  Little  River 
over  its  own  Pontoon  bridge  and  encamped  in  the  suburbs  of 
Milledgeville,  the  1st  and  Ilnd  Divisions  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Oconee  and  the  Illrd  Division  on  the  west  side  near  the  bridge. 
General  Slocum  appointed  Colonel  William  Hawley  as  com- 
mandant of  the  Post  of  Milledgeville,  and  with  two  regiments  he 
took  command  of  the  town,  established  a provost  guard,  and  in  a 
few  minutes  the  United  States  Flag  was  raised  above  the  dome 
of  the  Georgia  State  House. 

General  Slocum  chose  the  leading  hotel  for  his  headquarters. 
General  Sherman  arrived  a day  or  two  later,  and  literally  moved 
his  camp  equipage  into  Governor  Brown’s  Executive  Mansion 
from  which  the  governor  had  fled  carrying  with  him  the  furni- 
ture, carpets,  and  all  foodstuffs  including  his  cabbages,  but  lie 
had  left  the  State  Archives.91 

The  utmost  preparations  had  been  made  by  the  governor 
and  the  legislature  to  protect  the  town.  The  cadets  of  the  mili- 
tary college  wTere  armed  and  placed  on  guard  to  give  the  Union 
troops  a violent  reception.  The  prisons,  including  the  State 
Penitentiary,  had  been  opened  and  the  prisoners  armed.  But 
all  fled  precipitately  upon  Slocum’s  approach.  It  was  supposed 
by  unbiased  people  that  the  pillaging,  other  than  the  ordinary 
foraging  for  food,  was  done  by  these  c-onviets  and  then  attributed 
to  ‘Sherman’s  bummers.’ 


1864 


FIRST  TO  ENTER  GEORGIA’S  CAPITOL 


229 


The  United  States  military  officers  were  much  amused  upon 
reading  the  principal  newspapers  of  the  South  found  numer- 
ously in  Milledgeville.  They  contained  much  war  advice  ‘to  the 
people  of  Georgia’  from  General  G.  T.  Beauregard,  Senator  B. 
H.  Hill,  the  Confederate  Secretary  of  War,  and  members  of  the 
Confederate  Congress  assembled  in  Richmond,  and  other  distant 
persons,  all  advising  the  people  to  ‘rally  around  their  patriotic 
governor’  who  had  fled  leaving  the  good  citizens  behind  to  suffer 
all  the  kindly  impositions  of  good  will  which  the  Union  army 
was  disposed  to  display.  Appeals  were  made  by  the  newspaper 
terrorists  for  the  people  to  block  every  road,  bum  or  destroy  all 
food  that  could  not  be  carried  away,  as  the  patriotic  governor 
carried  away  his  cabbages,  and  thus  ‘ the  invading  army  will  soon 
starve  in  your  midst.’  The  best  advice  given  in  these  news- 
papers was  to  ‘trust  in  an  overruling  Providence.’ 

The  next  day,  November  23rd,  Slocum’s  XXth  Corps 
marched  through  Milledgeville  with  all  of  its  flags  unfurled  and 
its  bands  playing  the  then  favorite  Sunday  School  piece  ‘March- 
ing Along.’  By  this  time  the  numerous  citizens  who  had  anxi- 
ously petitioned  for  protection,  and  had  found  it  in  Slocum’s 
excellent  Provost  Guard,  were  in  good  spirits  to  enjoy  the  in- 
spiring parade.  The  best  of  discipline  w-as  maintained  every- 
where. Later  in  the  day  a goodly  number  of  officers  occupied 
the  seats  in  the  capitol  building  vacated  the  day  before  by  the 
Georgia  Legislature.  They  appointed  a chairman,  and  a com- 
mittee on  Federal  Relations  which  soon  reported  a bill  declaring 
that  ‘the  ordinance  of  secession  from  the  United  States  was 
injudicious,  indiscreet,  and  it  should  be  repealed.  ’ A vote  being- 
ordered,  this  report  was  accepted;  and  the  repeal  was  adopted 
by  a rising  vote.  Much  other  ‘business’  for  the  good  of  the  peo- 
ple was  transacted  in  a short  time;  and  the  ‘session’  precipi- 
tately ‘adjourned’  when  the  cry  ‘the  Yankees  are  coming’  re- 
sounded through  the  hall. 

General  Slocum’s  XIVth  Corps  encamped  near  the  Eaton- 
ton  factories  for  the  night  of  November  20th,  after  a march  of 
15  miles.  The  advance  of  the  XXth  Corps  from  Madisonville 
on  the  main  Milledgeville  road,  required  that  the  XIVth  Corps 
deflect  to  the  right  in  order  that  both  corps  might  move  on  sep- 
arate roads.  General  Slocum,  who  was  at  this  time  with  the 


230 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


XIVth,  directed  that  this  corps  move  for  Milledgeville  by  way 
of  Farrar’s  Mill  or  Murder  Creek.  Heavy  rains  had  fallen  dur- 
ing the  night  and  morning,  and  the  progress  through  the  mud 
was  slow'  and  difficult.  The  night  of  the  21st  was  passed  in  the 
mud  and  water  in  crossing  the  creek  after  a march  of  but  six 
miles.  The  weather  was  somewhat  better  the  22nd,  and  the 
march  was  continued  to  the  vicinity  of  Cedar  Creek  where  the 
night  was  passed.  The  distance  marched  this  day  was  twelve 
miles.  Everything  was  yet  more  clear  the  23rd  and  the  XIVth 
Corps  arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  Milledgeville  in  the  afternoon 
after  a march  of  11  miles.  The  next  day  Carlin  and  Morgan’s 
divisions,  with  their  wagon  trains,  crossed  the  Oconee  River  and 
went  into  camp  a few  miles  beyond  the  bridge  preparatory  to 
advancing  on  Sandersville. 

Colonel  Hawley,  commander  of  the  Post  of  Milledgeville,  re- 
ported the  destruction  of  ordnance  and  stores  found  there  as 
follows : Muskets,  caliber  .69,  2,300 ; accouterments,  300  sets ; 
lances,  5,000 ; cutlasses,  1,500 ; ammunition,  caliber  .69,  10,000 
rounds;  ammunition,  fixed  artillery,  170  boxes;  powder,  200 
kegs.  Major  John  A.  Reynolds,  Slocum’s  Chief  of  Artillery, 
reported  the  following  fixed  ammunition  destroyed,  in  addition 
to  that  of  the  foregoing  report : Artillery,  3,500  rounds ; in- 
fantry, 20,000  rounds;  Sharp’s  primers,  2 boxes;  powder,  2,000 
pounds.  The  railway  station,  two  arsenals,  a powder  maga- 
zine, and  other  public  buildings  including  shops,  and  about 
seventeen  hundred  bales  of  cotton,  vTere  burned. 

The  railway  track  for  five  miles  toward  Gordon  was  burned, 
bent  and  twisted  so  as  to  be  of  no  further  use  for  track.  The 
soldiers  on  this  march  developed  this  railroad  destruction  as  an 
art,  in  dry  weather,  as  follows:  Where  several  miles  of  track 
were  to  be  destroyed,  3,000  men  were  detached  and  divided  into 
three  equal  sections.  Section  one  advanced  along  the  ends  of 
the  ties  to  be  raised,  one  man  to  each  tie  and,  at  the  officer’s 
order,  each  man  raised  his  tie  in  unison  with  the  others  until  it 
was  on  end  and,  at  another  order,  the  entire  thousand  ties  were 
pushed  over  on  top  of  the  rails.  The  ties  were  then  loosened 
from  the  rails,  and  this  section  moved  along  to  repeat  this  work. 
Section  two  then  placed  the  ties  in  cob-house  form,  thirty  in 
each  pile,  and  put  the  middle  of  the  rails  over  the  middle  of  the 


1864  EFFORTS  OF  THE  ENEMY  UNAVAILING 


231 


piles  of  ties,  conveniently  distributing  them.  Then  this  section 
passed  after  No.  1 again,  and  it  was  succeeded  by  Section  three, 
which  set  the  ties  afire  and,  when  the  rails  were  properly  heated 
each  one  was  grasped  at  its  ends  by  tongs,  carried  to  the  nearest 
tree  around  which  it  was  bent  and  then  twisted  less  or  more  into 
cruller-doughnut  form  which  permanently  destroyed  the  rails 
for  further  track  use.  The  tongs  used  for  this  work  were  de- 
vised by  Chief  Engineer  0.  M.  Poe.22  The  reader  should  bear  in 
mind  the  fact  that  these  iron  rails  were  much  shorter,  smaller 
and,  therefore,  much  lighter  than  the  steel  rails  of  the  present 
time. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX 

March  to  the  Sea  at  Savannah  Concluded 

The  1st  and  Ilnd  Divisions  of  General  Slocum’s  XXth 
Corps  resumed  the  march  from  Milledgeville  November  21th,  to- 
ward the  Ogeechee  River  and  in  the  direction  of  Augusta  as 
though  this  city  was  his  next  objective  point.  This  led  the 
enemy  to  gather  and  retain  their  forces  there  for  its  protection. 
Encampment  for  the  night  was  made  near  Gum  Creek.  The 
next  day  Slocum  was  delayed  in  building  a bridge  over  Buffalo 
Creek  and  swamp,  and  the  head  column  encamped  about  seven 
miles  from  Sandersville  after  a sharp  skirmish  with  the  enemy’s 
cavalry  and  its  dispersion  by  Colonel  James  S.  Robinson’s  bri- 
gade. The  next  morning  two  regiments  of  Colonel  Ezra  A.  Car- 
man’s brigade  drove  away  the  enemy’s  cavalry  again,  and  the 
corps,  turned  to  the  right  more  in  the  direction  of  Charleston, 
and  moved  with  quickened  pace  into  Sandersville. 

Strong  efforts  had  been,  and  were  constantly  being,  made 
by  the  enemy’s  military  and  by  many  people  remaining  at  or 
near  their  homes,  to  stop  the  progress  of  the  Union  army  by 
interposing  Confederate  cavalry,  other  military  forces  that  could 
be  gathered,  and  by  starvation,  instance  the  governor  running 
away  with  his  cabbages.  Many  had  skirted  ahead  along  Slocum’s 
left  flank  to  protect  Milledgeville  and  Augusta.  Upon  leaving 
the  capitol  city  Slocum’s  forces  were  rather  more  beset  by  all 
these  forces  than  before,  many  having  come  from  their  skirmish 
with  Howard  at  Macon.  General  Hardee,  now  directed  by 


232 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


Beauregard,  appeared  upon  the  scene,  in  report,  with  an  army 
between  Miledgeville  and  Augusta  for  the  protection  of  the  last 
named  place.  It  was  part  of  the  plan  of  the  Union  forces,  how- 
ever, to  feint  toward  a prominent  place  for  the  purpose  of  hav- 
ing the  enemy  concentrate  there,  and  by  the  time  the  concentra- 
tion was  effected,  the  Union  forces  would  be  miles  in  another 
direction. 

A Confederate  order  had  been  published  for  the  planters  to 
destroy  all  corn  (maize)  and  fodder  that  the  horses  and  mules 
of  the  ‘invaders’  might  be  starved.  Sherman  checkmated  this 
move  by  widely  circulating  among  the  planters  by  means  of 
the  numerous  negroes,  that  wherever  they  destroyed  the  food  for 
his  animals,  his  army  would  make  the  devastation  complete. 
This  was  a practical  lesson  for  everyone  that  a United  States 
Army  had  full  right  to  gather  food  for  soldiers  and  its  dumb 
helpers,  and  any  other  supply  that  could  be  found,  in  any  part 
of  the  United  States’  domain. 

The  head  of  the  column  of  the  XI\rth  Corps  arrived,  at  San- 
dersville  the  26th  of  November,  just  as  the  XXtli  Corps’s  skir- 
mishers were  rapidly  driving  a detachment  of  the  enemy’s  cav- 
alry under  General  Wheeler  from  the  town.  The  nest  day  the 
XIVth  Corps’s  trains,  under  escort  of  Carlin’s  division,  moved 
by  the  way  of  Davisborough,  to  Louisville,  while  Baird  and 
Morgan’s  divisions,  thus  unhampered,  moved  on  the  Penn’s 
Bridge  Road,  thus  protecting  the  left  flank  of  the  trains  from 
the  enemy’s  cavalry,  such  protection  from  the  ever  watchful 
cavalry  being  a constant  feature  of  every  day’s  march,  and 
night’s  encampment,  in  addition  to  the  constant  work  of  the 
Union  cavalry  under  General  Kilpatrick  who  managed  to  keep 
most  of  the  detachments  of  Wheeler’s  cavalry  busy  elsewhere. 
Baird  and  Morgan’s  'divisions  arrived  at  Louisville  early  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  28th  and  at  once  began  laying  their  pontoon 
bridge.  Carlin’s  division  arrived  at  the  Ogeechee  at  3 p.  m.  and 
in  the  evening  joined  their  comrades  around  Louisville.  The 
roadway  through  the  extensive  Cypress  Swamp  hereabouts  was 
difficult  and  laborious  to  keep  in  even  passable  condition  after 
each  succeeding  wagon.  Early  in  the  morning  of  November  29th 
Kilpatrick  applied  for  help  against  the  enemy’s  cavalry,  and 
General  Slocum  directed  his  General  Davis  to  dispatch  a brigade 


1864  FOUND  PRISON  PEN  AT  MILLS N VACANT  233 


of  infantry  to  Ills  assistance.  Together  they  soon  scattered  the 
enemy  with  a vigor  that  made  him  more  wary  of  approach ; and 
that  night  Kilpatrick  with  his  men  returned  to  the  corps’s  en- 
campment on  the  east  side  of  Big  Creek.  The  next  day  there 
was  skirmishing  again  with  the  enemy,  who  made  several  at- 
tempts to  drive  in  the  corps’s  pickets.  This  day  General  Slocum 
directed  Carlin’s  division  to  march  to  Sabastopol  with  a view 
to  keeping  away  the  enemy,  and  thus  uncovering  the  crossing  of 
the  Ogeechee  at  that  point.  The  Illrd  Division  of  the  XXth 
Corps  which  was  left  at  Milledgeville  to  protect  the  wagon 
trains,  met  the  other  two  divisions  at  Sandersville  and  it  re- 
mained there  while  the  others  marched  to  Tennille  Station.  The 
1st  Michigan  engineers  had  reported  to  this  corps  on  the  27th 
for  duty,  and  the  next  two  days  the  Central  Georgia  Railway, 
and  all  wagon  bridges  over  the  Williamson  Swamp  Creek  were 
destroyed ; also  those  from  Tennille  to  and  including  the  Ogeechee 
River.  The  30th,  these  divisions  marched  up  this  river  to 
Coward’s  Bridge,  which  they  repaired.  The  Illrd  Division 
moved  with  the  trains  by  way  of  Davisborough,  across  the  Ogee- 
chee and  Rocky  Comfort  Rivers,  and  encamped  with  their  com- 
rades about  three  miles  south  of  Louisville.  The  roads  were 
generally  good  excepting  at  the  river  and  swamp  crossings. 
The  country  very  level,  and  the  weather  was  pleasant.  The  for- 
aging parties  were  generally  successful,  and  the  teams  rapidly 
improved  in  condition,  as  did  the  soldiers  in  spirit  as  well  as 
physically.  Turkeys  abounded,  and  a general  observation  of 
Thanksgiving  day  resulted,  although  the  march  continued.  The 
prison  pen  at  Millen  for  the  enemy’s  Union  prisoners  was 
visited  and  found  vacated.  This  notorious  place  of  imprison- 
ment is  situated  near  the  railway  about  five  miles  north  of  Millen, 
Georgia.  The  ‘pen’  was  nearly  square  and  was  surrounded  by 
a stockade  of  heavy  upright  pine  logs  cut  in  the  neighborhood. 
They  extended  above  the  ground  from  twelve  to  fifteen  feet.  The 
inclosure  embraced  about  fifteen  acres  of  cleared  land,  through 
the  eastern  part  of  which  extended  a ravine  which  had  been 
made  by  a small  stream  of  drainage  water.  Running  around  the 
inside  and  about  thirty  feet  from  the  stockade  was  a continuous 
railing  of  light  scantling  supported  by  short  posts.  This  was 
known  as  the  dead  line,  outside  of  which  no  one  could  go  with- 


234 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


out  being-  shot  by  the  guards  stationed  on  top  of  the  stockade 
with  sentry  boxes  about  eighty  yards  apart.  About  one-tliird 
of  the  western  portion  of  the  pen  was  occupied  by  a crowd  of 
irregular  earthern  huts  which  were  evidently  made  by  the 
prisoners.  Three  dead  Union  soldiers  were  found  in  these  huts ; 
and  they  were  buried  by  their  visiting  compatriots.  A short 
distance  outside  the  stockade  was  a long  trench  at  the  head  of 
which  had  been  placed  a board  on  which  was  written  650  buried 
here.  About  3,000  Union  soldiers  who  had  been  captured  by 
the  Confederate  armies  in  varying  numbers  at  different  times 
and  places,  were  imprisoned  here.  The  death  rate  was  very 
large  from  insufficient  and  not  altogether  wholesome  food  and 
diseases.  The  enlisted  men  remaining  were  taken  southward 
shortly  before  the  arrival  of  General  Slocum’s  men.  The  prin- 
cipal officers  who  were  here  imprisoned,  were  taken  northward. 
The  air  of  the  inclosure  and  neighborhood  was  yet  very  un- 
wholesome. On  rising  ground  a short  distance  southeast  of  this 
inclosure  two  forts  were  in  advanced  stage  of  construction,  to 
command  the  region  in  all  directions.118  Crossing  the  now  de- 
stroyed railroad  three  miles  north  of  Millen,  General  Geary  now 
became  involved  in  an  almost  impassable  swamp  between  Buck- 
head  Creek  and  the  Ogeechee  River,  and  his  command  could 
travel  but  ten  miles  that  day  with  great  difficulty. 

From  the  1st  to  the  8th  of  December  the  line  of  march  of 
the  XXth  Corps  was  down  the  peninsula  between  the  Ogeechee 
and  Savannah  rivers,  generally  along  the  Louisville  and  Sa- 
vannah wagon  road.  Encampment  for  the  night  of  the  1st  was 
at  Baker’s  Creek;  for  the  2nd,  at  Buck  Head  Church;  the  3rd 
at  Horse  Creek ; the  4th  at  Little  Ogeechee ; the  5th  at  Sylvania 
Cross  Roads;  the  6th  near  Cowpen’s  Creek;  the  7th  by  Jack’s 
Branch  near  Springfield,  and  the  8th  near  Elm  Cross  Roads. 
The  surface  of  the  country  continued  flat  and  became  swampy. 
Large  ponds  of  water  were  passed  about  every  mile,  and  the 
creeks  were  frequently  spread  into  several  branches.  The  roads 
had  a sandy  surface  which  was  firm  for  light  vehicles,  but 
through  which  the  heavy  wagon  trains  cut,  and  then  settled  into 
deep  quicksand.  It  was  necessary  to  corduroy  stretches  of  miles 
of  this  road.  The  fog  was  here  dense  particularly  during  the 


1864  NEARING  SAVANNAH.  CAPTURES  BOAT  235 


nights.  Torches  were  of  little  use  in  it.  By  several  of  the 
swamps  through  which  the  Union  army  had  to  pass,  the  enemy 
had  cut  down  trees  across  the  road  which  generally  delayed 
the  march  but  little;  but  occasionally  the  enemy’s  troops  were 
here  met  who  delayed  the  progress  on  account  of  their  advan- 
tageous positions.  Supplies  continued  ample  in  the  open  coun- 
try, and  the  weather  favorable. 

The  direction  of  the  march  was  changed  December  9tli, 
more  to  the  eastward  and  along  the  road  from  Edon  to  Montietli 
Postoffice  on  the  Charleston  Railway.  In  the  large  Montietli 
Swamp  the  enemy  had  cut  trees  to  fall  across  the  road,  and  had 
built  two  small  earthworks  beyond,  which  were  manned  by  about 
400  infantrymen  with  a cannon.  Plans  were  at  once  made  for 
capturing  all  of  the  enemy  at  this  place  but,  before  the  obstruct- 
ing trees  could  be  cut  and  moved  away,  all  of  the  at  first  preten- 
tious opposing  force  escaped,  and  hurriedly,  before  the  Union 
small  arms  at  long  range.  They  left  a considerable  quantity  of 
new  clothing  and  accounterments.  They  killed  one  and  wounded 
four  of  Slocum’s  men.  They  carried  away  their  killed  and 
wounded  comrades. 

In  the  early  morning  of  December  10th,  the  march  was 
continued  to  Montieth  Station  on  the  Charleston  Railway.  After 
destroying  several  miles  of  this  road,  advance  was  made  to  near 
the  Five-Mile  Post  from  Savannah,  on  the  Augusta  Railroad. 
Here  the  enemy’s  strong  line  of  the  out  defenses  of  Savannah 
were  determined  in  their  front  aspect,  as  fronting  on  swamps 
and  artificial  ponds.  It  being  late  in  the  day,  preparations  were 
made  for  encampment.  A party  of  foragers,  including  cavalry- 
men and  artillerymen,  succeeding  in  capturing  the  enemy’s 
dispatch  boat  Ida,  near  the  lower  part  of  Argyle  Island,  Sa- 
vannah River  (see  map).  This  boat  bore  dispatches  for  gun- 
boats above,  with  Colonel  Clinch  of  Confederate  General  Har- 
dee’s staff.  Unfortunately  the  boat  caught  fire  and  was 
destroyed. 

On  the  11th,  when  Slocum  was  extending  his  line  to  the 
left,  he  w7as  attacked  by  the  enemy  whom  he  drove  back  into  the 
fortifications ; and  Slocum  placed  his  men  as  he  desired,  from 
the  Savannah  River  with  his  left,  to  the  Central  Railway  on  his 
right,  his  line  being  in  advance  of  Pipemaker’s  Creek. 


236 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


General  Baird’s  Ilird  Division  of  Slocum’s  XIYth  Corps, 
with  Kilpatrick  and  his  cavalry,  had  marched  in  the  direction 
of  Waynesborough  and  Birdville,  the  objective  points  of  their 
comrades  of  the  XXth  Corps.  General  Morgan,  with  his  Ilnd 
Division,  was  directed  to  move  on  the  direct  road  to  Buck  Head 
Bridge  in  full  charge  of  the  XIVth  Corps  wagon  trains,  and  to 
encamp  ten  miles  from  Louisville.  December  2nd  General  Car- 
lin, with  his  1st  Division,  joined  his  comrades  from  his  flank 
movement  in  the  direction  of  Sabastopol,  and  the  corps  en- 
camped at  the  crossing  of  the  Birdville  and  Waynesborough 
roads  about  two  miles  from  the  bridge.  Keeping  informed  of  all 
details  regarding  roads,  the  position  of  General  Howard’s  Right 
Wing  men,  and  directing  from  day  to  day  the  order  and  lines  of 
march,  General  Slocum,  December  3d,  changed  the  previously 
suggested  route  of  the  XXth  Corps,  and  ordered  deflection  of 
the  XIYth  Corps  to  cross  the  Buck  Head  by  pontoons  about 
five  miles  further  up  the  stream.  Jacksonborough  was  desig- 
nated by  Slocum  as  the  place  of  the  next  meeting  of  his  two 
corps.  Baird  and  Kilpatrick  were  ordered  to  move  from  Rey- 
nolds toward  Waynesborough  that  the  enemy’s  watchful  cav- 
alry might  infer  that  Augusta  was  yet  their  objective  point. 
December  4tli  Carlin  and  Morgan’s  divisions  destroyed  three 
miles  of  railroad  and,  with  the  corps’s  wagon  trains,  marched 
through  Habersham  in  the  direction  of  Jacksonborough  and  en- 
camped on  the  farm  of  Mrs.  Smith,  thirteen  miles  from  Lump- 
kin’s Station.  In  the  meanwhile  Baird  and  Kilpatrick  attacked 
the  larger  force  of  Wheeler’s  cavalry  and  drove  them  through 
Waynesborough  and  across  Brier  Creek.  Baird  also  destroyed 
three  miles  of  railroad  near  Thomas’s  Station.  The  evening  of 
the  next  day,  after  laborious  repairing  and  marching  over  poor 
roads,  the  entire  XIVth  Corps,  with  Kilpatrick’s  cavalry,  en- 
camped in  the  neighborhood  of  Jacksonborough,  the  advance 
line  being  at  Buck  Creek  Postoffice.  The  enemy  had  destroyed 
the  bridge  across  Beaver  Dam  Creek  near  Jacksonborough.  A 
bridge  was  here  built  in  the  night  by  the  engineers  and,  in  the 
early  morning  of  the  6th,  the  XIYth  Corps  and  cavalry  crossed 
and  passed  on  to  the  river,  encamping  at  Pludson’s  Ferry,  after 
an  average  march  of  twenty  miles.  December  7th  the  march 
was  continued  in  the  same  order,  Baird  and  Kilpatrick  pro- 


1864  DIFFICULTIES  OF  THE  GREAT  MARCH 


237 


tecting  the  rear,  unincumbered  by  the  wagon  trains.  Morgan’s 
second  division,  with  the  pontoon  train,  arrived  at  Ebenezer 
Creek  late  in  the  evening,  and  they  at  once  began  to  clear  the 
road  of  the  trees  that  had  been  felled  across  it  by  the  enemy. 
This  proved  a serious  work  as  it  extended  through  the  extensive 
swamp  on  both  sides  of  the  creek.  The  pontoniers  also  began 
work  on  the  bridge.  At  midday  the  8tli  the  first  column  began 
to  cross  this  ‘formidable  defile.’  Constant  work  was  required, 
however,  with  each  wagon  and  cannon  all  the  way;  and  it  re- 
quired all  the  day  and  night,  and  until  daylight  of  the  morning 
of  the  9th,  to  get  all  parts  of  the  corps  and  cavalry  across.  This, 
however,  Avas  but  one  of  the  many  days,  and  nights,  of  serious 
difficulties  encountered  on  this  great  march  by  this  veteran 
army;  and  these  difficulties  were  all  manfully  met,  and  over- 
come. While  this  strenuous  work  was  in  progress,  the  enemy’s 
cavalry  made  repeated  charges  on  the  rear  picket  guards,  but 
they  received  each  time  more  harm  than  they  caused.  The  morn- 
ing of  the  9th  of  December,  the  march  of  the  XIYth  Corps  was 
continued  from  Ebenezer ’s  Church  to  Cuvier’s  Plantation,  the 
second  division  leading.  Here  the  enemy  was  found  behind astrong 
earthwork  for  the  purpose  of  opposing  the  onward  march  of  the 
Unionists.  Two  field  guns  Avere  immediately  placed  in  position 
for  Avork  against  the  enemy’s  fortifications,  and  they  did  good 
execution.  Some  infantry  officers  desired  to  deploy  for  an  as- 
sault ; but  the  night  Avas  near,  and  an  impassable  SAvamp  in  the 
enemy’s  front  made  a front  attack  at  this  time  impracticable, 
and  preparations  were  made  for  some  rest  during  the  night. 
The  enemy  abandoned  his  position  in  the  night.  The  10th,  the 
1st  and  Ilnd  Drcisious,  Avith  the  trains,  marched  to  the  10-Mile 
(from  SaA’annah)  House  and  encamped,  thus  giving  the  omvard 
road  to  the  XXth  Corps  which  wTas  now  arriving  by  the  Mon- 
teith  Road.  The  lllrd  Division  was  ordered  to  guard  the  rear 
of  parts  of  the  XIYth  Corps  Avliile  they  Avere  breaking  the  rail- 
road to  the  Savannah  River  crossing. 


238 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


CHAPTER  XL 

The  Enemy  Escapes.  Slocum  Occupies  Savannah 

On  the  11th  day  of  December,  General  Slocum’s  XIVth 
Corps  marched  down  the  Augusta  Road  and  took  position  on 
the  right  of  his  XXth  Corps  in  front  of  the  strong  defenses  of 
Savannah.  This  relieved  the  XVIIth  Corps  of  General  How- 
ard’s command  on  the  Louisville  Road  and  the  neighborhood  of 
the  Ogeecliee  Canal  to  the  right  of  which  the  XVIIth  was  re- 
positioned. 

During  the  ten  days’  investment  of  Savannah  that  now 
followed,  General  Slocum,  with  his  two  corps,  Army  of  Georgia, 
was  actively  engaged  in  skirmishing  with  the  enemy,  reconnoit- 
ering  his  lines  in  detail,  and  in  making  preparations  for  a gen- 
eral attack.  Many  points  in  the  enemy’s  extended  line  were 
found  accessible  for  assault. 

Slocum  reported  to  Sherman  the  11th  that  he  had  sent 
a regiment  across  the  SaArannah  River  into  South  Carolina  (he 
being  the  first  of  Sherman’s  command  to  enter  this  State)  to 
reconnoiter  the  country.  He  also  reported  that  the  left  of  his 
line  was  in  very  close  proximity  to  the  enemy  in  his  intrencli- 
ments,  and  that  he,  Slocum,  was  constructing  two  earth  redoubts 
on  the  right  bank  of  the  Savannah  River.  The  next  day  Slocum’s 
batteries  intercepted  two  more  of  the  enemy’s  gun-boats  that 
were  convoying  a naval  transport  from  above  to  Savannah.  The 
gun-boats  were  obliged  to  retire  out  of  range  of  Slocum’s  artil- 
lery leaving  the  transport  with  27  or  more  Confederate  naval 
men,  officers  and  crew,  to  fall  into  Slocum’s  possession. 

On  the  13th,  Slocum  issued  to  his  troops  a circular  announc- 
ing that  regularly  organized  foraging  parties  from  both  corps 
could  explore  both  sides  of  the  river,  and  that  all  guards  would 
respect  their  passes. 

General  Sherman  continued  very  communicative,  and  when 
he  could  not  visit  Slocum  he  wrote  to  him  often,  freely  and  famil- 
iarly; in  fact,  Sherman’s  ever-ready  pen  was  his  constant  com- 
panion. He  was  pleased  with  the  capture  of  the  boats,  but  he 
cautioned  Slocum  against  attempting  too  much.  December  15th 
Slocum  received  a long  communication  from  Sherman  who  had 
just  returned  from  a visit  down  the  Ogeecliee  River  to  Ossa- 


1864 


PLANS  FOB  CAPTURING  THE  ENEMY 


239 


baw  and  Wassaw  Sounds,  where  he  opened  communication  with 
the  United  States  Atlantic  fleet,  and  by  it  with  Grant  and  Wash- 
ington. Arrangements  were  made  to  receive  the  supplies  brought 
down  the  coast  by  the  fleet  that  had  been  expecting  the  arrival 
of  Sherman  and  his  men  for  several  days.  These  supplies  em- 
braced 600,000  rations  for  the  men,  and  ten  days’  forage  for 
40,000  horses  and  mules.  The  fleet  was  to  deliver,  also,  six  20- 
pounder  Parrott  guns  and  six  30-pounder  Parrotts  with  300 
rounds  of  ammunition  for  each  gun.  General  Slocum  replied 
at  once  with  the  following  important  historical  letter: 

Headquarters  Left  Wing,  Army  of  Georgia, 
Major-General  Sherman.  December  15,  1864,  9 P.  M. 

General  : I have  two  regiments  on  the  Carolina  shore  north  of 
Clydesdale  Creek.  To-morrow  morning  the  remainder  of  the  brigade,  three 
additional  regiments,  will  endeavor  to  take  the  line  from  Clydesdale 
Creek  to  a point  by  the  Savannah  Biver  opposite  to  Cruger’s  Island,  with 
orders  to  intrench  on  that  line  and  feel  forward  toward  the  causeway 
road.  With  your  consent  I will  try  to  place  a division  on  the  line  marked 
2 on  the  inclosed  diagram  [shown  opposite].  It  will  be  necessary  to 
move  with  some  caution  on  that  side;  and,  to  render  the  position  entirely 
safe,  it  may  be  necessary  to  throw  an  entire  corps  over,  with  instructions 
to  intrench  strongly.  There  are  many  points  in  front  of  our  present 
position  that  can  be  guarded  by  a good  picket  line.  If  a portion  of  the 
line  now  held  by  Davis  can  be  held  by  General  Howard,  or  by  the  troops 
under  General  Foster,  the  XXth  Corps  can  be  spared,  and  I will  seal 
up  that  side  of  the  city  and  be  in  position  to  shell  every  portion  of  it. 
I shall  goi  no  further  than  to  send  a brigade  over  to  take  the  line  marked 
1 until  I hear  from  you;  but  I have  no  fear  of  placing  a corps  on  that 
side;  and  this  done  the  fate  of  the  city  is  sealed.  I think  Foster’s  com- 
mand might  be  of  use  in  the  swamps  on  this  side  if  placed  behind  the 
line  already  established.  I think  there  are  points  on  the  left  of  my  line 
from  which  the  city  can  be  shelled  with  those  heavy  guns  to  more  advant- 
age than  on  the  right  of  the  line.  The  point  held  by  Carlin,  where  Mower 
was,  is  within  three  miles  and  a half  of  the  city,  but  there  are  points 
nearer  the  river  quite  as  close,  and  from  which  the  city  can  be  seen. 
Please  give  me  your  views  as  to  the  propriety  of  attempting  to  throw 
one  entire  corps  over.  We  can  send  supplies  via  Argyle  Island,  which 
is  held  by  us.  The  enemy  hold  the  lower  part  of  Hutchinson ’s  Island, 
and  command  the  whole  island  with  their  batteries  on  this  side.  They 
also  send  a small  gun-boat  up  to  a point  between  Cruger ’s  and  Hutchin- 
son ’s,  at  a point  marked  B [see  sketch].  She  has  one  heavy  gun  and 
gives  us  some  annoyance.  She  is  just  out  of  range  of  our  field  guns. 

Very  respectfully,  your  opedient  servant, 

II.  W.  Slocum.  Major-General.92 


240 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


This  letter  is  a good  illustration  of  Slocum’s  watchfulness, 
correct  observing  powers,  and  earnest  desire  to  promote  the  best 
interest  of  the  service.  Had  his  suggestions  here  noted  been 
accepted  by  Sherman,  it  is  very  evident  to  every  careful  reader, 
that  the  Confederate  General  Hardee’s  army  then  in  Savannah 
would  have  soon  capitulated  to  the  Union  forces  without  much 
of  a showing  for  battle,  but  Sherman’s  peculiarity  was  here 
again  exhibited  in  the  following  note  which  he  at  once  dictated : 


Showing  the  Union  Causeway,  the  Route  of  General  Hardee's  Escape  from  Savannah. 
The  Dotted  Line  2 is  where  General  Slocum  wanted  to  Capture  Hardee  and  his 
Army.  Line  1 is  where  Sherman  insisted  upon  Slocum's  staying 


In  the  Field  near  Savannah,  Ga. 

Major-General  Howard’s  Ildqrs.,  Dee.  15,  1864,  11.30  p.  m. 
Maj.  Gen.  H.  W.  Slocum,  Oomdg.  Left  Wing,  Army  of  Georgia: 

General:  The  general-in-chief  directs  me  to  write  you  as  follows: 
“Your  note  of  9 P.  M.  is  just  received.  For  the  present  do  not  send 
more  than  one  brigade,  and  instead  of  threatening  south  toward  the 
Union  Causeway,  rather  let  it  threaten  eastward  toward  the  road  marked 
as  running  up  toward  Augusta  on  the  east  side  of  the  Savannah  River, 
seemingly  threatening  in  flank  the  movement  of  troops  attempting  to 
escape  from  Savannah.  There  are  some  points  which  I will  explain  in 
person  as  soon  as  I can  ride  over  to  see  you.  A messenger  is  just  arrived 
from  General  Grant  with  dispatches  of  importance.  Prepare  for  the 


1864  ENEMY  ESCAPES  BY  SHERMAN’S  GRACE  241 


rifled  guns  and  get  them  into  position  as  soon  as  possible.  Let  the  engineer 
regiment  continue  to  destroy  the  railroad,  and  cover  their  work  up  as 
far  as  the  bridge,  including  it  if  possible.  After  making  some  letters 
to-morrow  I will  come  over  to  see  you.  Also  get  from  the  island  in  the 
river  all  the  rice  you  can  as  forage  for  your  horses.  ’ ’9s 

The  Confederate  Generals  Hardee,  Hood,  Johnston,  and 
others  had  escaped  from  Sherman’s  grasp  in  northwestern  Geor- 
gia, and  Hardee  was  to  escape  again  from  Sherman  not  heeding 
Slocum’s  practicable  suggestion,  and  desire,  to  ‘seal  up’  the 
avenue  of  his  escape.00 

General  Sherman,  while  at  Slocum’s  headquarters  Decem- 
ber 17th,  sent  a flag  with  letter  to  General  Hardee  in  Savannah, 
reading  that  he,  Sherman,  held  and  controlled  every  avenue  by 
which  the  garrison  in  Savannah  could  be  supplied,  and  stating 
the  fact  that  sea-going  vessels  were  passing  through  Ossabaw 
Sound  and  thence  up  the  Ogeechee  River  to  the  rear  of  the 
Union  Army,  delivering  various  supplies  including  heavy  ord- 
nance by  which  the  city  could  be  reduced ; and  he  asked  Hardee 
for  the  surrender  of  the  city  and  its  dependent  forts.  Hardee 
replied  by  the  same  flag,  informing  Sherman  that  he  “was  in- 
correct that  he  had  for  some  days  held  and  controlled  every 
avenue  by  which  the  people  and  garrison  could  be  supplied,” 
and  adding  “I  am  in  free  and  constant  communication  with  my 
department.  Your  demand  for  the  surrender  of  Savannah  and 
its  dependent  forts  is  refused.”94 

Notwithstanding  this  confirmation  of  Slocum’s  letter  in- 
forming Sherman  that  Savannah  was  not  an  unsealed  city,  Sher- 
man gave  no  attention  to  its  proper  sealing  as  Slocum  desired  to 
do ; and  he  gave  orders  that  the  preparations  for  bombardment, 
and  assault,  be  rapidly  completed,  which,  if  carried  out,  would 
have  cost  hundreds  if  not  thousands  of  lives,  many  of  them  in- 
nocent citizens.  Slocum,  the  true  soldier  that  he  was,  acted 
promptly  upon  these  orders  of  his  ranking  general,  and  he  soon 
reported  his  command  in  readiness  for  further  orders.  He  fur- 
ther informed  Sherman  that  he  felt  confident  that  he  could  re- 
duce the  central  part  of  the  city  with  his  own  artillery,  and  make 
successful  assault  in  several  places  of  the  enemy’s  line  in  his 
front.  All  of  this  and  much  more  Sherman  wrote  to  General 
Grant  on  the  18th  in  a very  long  letter. 

16 


242 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


Slocum  continued  active  meanwhile.  lie  called  the  atten- 
tion of  his  corps  commanders  to  the  making  of  fascines  from 
straw  and  canebrakes;  and  the  practicing  with  pontoon  bridge 
materials  which  he  had  been  investigating,  that  all  might  be 
readily  available  for  use  in  swampy  places.  He  also  requested 
frequent  reviews  of  the  situation  that  no  feature  of  the  whole, 
or  in  detail,  of  the  important  work  before  them  be  overlooked 
or  neglected. 

On  the  19th  of  December  General  Sherman  again  went  down 
the  Ogeechee  to  the  bay,  to  get  the  cooperation  of  Rear  Admiral 
Dahlgren  and  his  ironclad  ships  for  the  reduction  of  Savannah. 
He  sent  word  to  Slocum  to  be  ready.  The  next  morning  at  8 
o’clock  Slocum  notified  Sherman’s  headquarters  that  he  was 
fully  prepared  to  execute  any  orders  that  the  general-in-cliief 
might  issue.  Regarding  the  cannon  that  Sherman  promised  to 
send,  nothing  could  be  learned  by  Slocum’s  teamsters  who  had 
been  long  waiting  their  arrival  at  the  designated  place.  Reply 
from  general  headquarters,  dated  12  m.,  read  that  nothing  could 
be  learned  about  the  guns.  Another  reply  from  Sherman’s  as- 
sistant adjutant-general  dated  5 p.  m.,  read  that  “The  general- 
in-chief  has  not  returned,  and  has  not  authorized  any  orders. 
We  are,  therefore,  in  a respectable  condition  to  remain  quiet 
until  he  gives  orders  of  execution.” 

All  parts  of  General  Slocum’s  army  continued  most  vigi- 
lant and  alert.  The  faithful  and  brave  Colonel  Barnum  of  Slo- 
cum’s XXth  Corps  was  in  command  of  his  brigade  which  was 
stationed  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  Union  forces  adjoining  the 
Savannah  River.  About  midnight  of  December  20th,  hearing  no 
sounds  from  the  enemy’s  front,  General  Slocum  started  Barnum 
to  reconnoiter  the  enemy’s  line  about  three  hundred  yards  in 
front  of  his  own  front.  Barnum  passed  through  his  own  picket 
line  with  ten  well  chosen  men,  giving  notice  to  his  pickets  to  the 
right  and  left  of  his  errand.  Prom  a good  point  of  observation 
they  discussed  the  situation.  Now  and  then  what  they  thought 
to  be  a gun-discliarge  sounded  in  the  distance,  but  not  a man 
could  be  seen  on  picket  duty  although  the  enemy’s  fires  were 
burning  along  his  outer  line.  Barnum  led  the  Avay  to  the  out- 
side intrenchment  and  found  everything  quiet.  Report  was  sent 
to  General  Slocum  who  at  once  reinforced  the  party  to  the  extent 


1864  FIRST  TO  ENTER  AND  OCCUPY  SAVANNAH  243 


of  General  Geary’s  entire  division.  They  marched  to  and  over 
file  several  lines  of  the  enemy’s  intrenchments  and  not  a man 
could  be  seen.  General  Slocum  advanced  for  the  purpose  of  oc- 
cupying the  city  and  maintaining  order.  This  was  accom- 
plished before  daybreak,  and  report  was  forwarded  accordingly 
to  General  Hooker’s  headquarters. 

General  Hardee  had  made  good  his  escape  over  the  Union 
Causeway  that  Slocum  had  desired  to  occupy  for  his  capture. 
Again  Hardee  was  indebted  to  Sherman  for  his  second  escape 
from  capture  by  Union  troops ; and  yet  a third  escape  from  the 
same  source  awaited  him  in  North  Carolina,  as  will  be  shown  in 
due  time. 

At  daybreak  General  Slocum  notified  Admiral  Dahlgren  in 
his  flagship  off  the  bay  of  his  possession  of  the  city,  and  that  the 
river  contained  many  torpedoes  and  other  obstructions  for  the 
injury  of  ships  endeavoring  to  navigate  it. 

The  Mayor  of  Savannah  sent  a flag  late  in  the  night  to  Sher- 
man’s headquarters  informing  of  the  evacuation  by  Hardee,  that 
the  city  was  entirely  defenseless,  and  he  requested  protection  of 
the  lives  and  property  of  the  citizens  ‘and  of  our  women  and 
children.  ’ This  request  was  called  forth  by  the  rioting  and  plun- 
dering, begun  by  some  of  the  lower  class  people  of  Savannah’s 
own  population  as  soon  as  the  rear  column  of  Hardee’s  fleeing 
troops  crossed  the  river.  All  of  this  was  stopped  as  soon  as  Slo- 
cum’s men  entered  the  city  at  four  a.  m.,  led  by  General  Geary’s 
Ilnd  Division  of  the  XXth  Corps  ; and  Geary  was  directed  by 
Slocum  to  assume  the  office  of  commander  of  the  post.  Colonel 
William  B.  Woods  of  the  76th  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  was  ap- 
pointed provost  marshal  of  that  part  of  the  city  east  of  Bull 
Street,  and  the  others  of  Geary’s  division  took  possession  of  all 
to  the  westward.  Geary  soon  reported  to  General  Slocum  that 
a detachment  of  his  men  had  occupied  Port  Jackson.  Just  be- 
fore the  retreat  of  the  enemy  he  set  fire  to  the)  officers’  quarters, 
which  fire  had  extended  and  exploded  one  of  the  powder  maga- 
zines. The  fire  was  extinguished  by  Slocum’s  men.  Later  in 
the  day  Colonel  John  Flyun  reported  an  inventory  of  the  ord- 
nance and  stores  found  in  and  around  this  fort,  showing  its  im- 
portance, as  follows : Of  cannon,  4 64-pounders ; 44  32-pound- 
ers ; 2 10-inch  Columbiads ; 20  8-inch  Columbiads ; 2 Rifled  32- 


244 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


pounders;  12  24-pound  howitzers;  3 10-inch  mortars;  1 8-inch 
mortar ; 3 3-ineh  rilled  pieces.  Of  ammunition  there  were : 400 
10-inch  solid  shot;  587  S-inch  solid  shot;  149  of  7-inch,  and  2,272 
of  6-inch  solid  shot ; 411  10-inch  shells ; 320  8-inch,  and  120 
6-inch;  15  8-inch  grape;  27  7-inch,  and  13  6-ineh;  32  8-inch  can- 
ister, 41  7-inch,  60  6-inch,  and  32  6% -inch;  224  6% -inch 
shells  fixed,  130  8-inch,  and  48  6% -inch  conical  shells  fixed; 
and  50  pounds  rifled  musket  powder,  much  other  had  been  ex- 
ploded, and  more  thrown  into  the  water.  Many  of  the  gun  car- 
riages had  been  designedly  injured,  and  14  of  the  91  guns  were 
spiked  and  shotted.  There  were  no  lanterns  at  hand  at  the 
time  of  this  report,  consequently  but  little  had  been  done  in 
examining  the  unexploded  magazines. 

Sherman's.  adjutant-general  made  continued  inquiry  for  his 
chief  among  the  vessels  of  the  fleet  about  the  bay  and  its  tribu- 
taries and,  at  last,  it  was  determined  that  he  had  gone  to  Hilton 
Head,  South  Caorlina.  Late  in  the  day  of  the  22nd  Sherman 
learned  of  the  escape  of  the  enemy,  and  he  then  made  haste  to 
telegraph  to  President  Lincoln  that  “I  beg  to  present  you,  as  a 
Christmas  gift,  the  city  of  Savannah,  with  150  heavy  guns  and 
plenty  of  ammunition  and,  also  about  25,000  bales  of  cotton.” 
The  number  of  large  guns  mentioned  by  Sherman  included  those 
of  the  several  fortifications  in  and  around  the  city;  but  he  made 
no  reference  to  the  enemy  whose  escape  he  had  shielded  and  let 
escape,  to  vigorously  oppose  the  Union  forces  in  their  further 
march  through  the  mud  ! 

CHAPTER  XLI 

Clearing  for  Advance.  Reports  of  Savannah  Campaign 

The  offices  of  General  Slocum,  and  of  his  adjutant-general, 
and  inspector’s  departments,  occupied  the  Central  Railroad  Bank 
Building,  adjoining  the  United  States  Custom  House.  The  Ex- 
change Building  was  occupied  as  the  offices  of  the  other  staff 
departments.  The  Umted  States  Government  at  once  provided 
for  the  re-establishment  of  the  post-office,  and  of  its  other  de- 
partments, supplies  for  which  were  brought  by  the  coast  fleet. 

The  Savannah  Campaign  being  at  an  end,  preparations  at 
once  began  for  another  campaign.  Sherman  began  correspond- 


1864  GIVES  SAVANNAH  GOOD  GOVERNMENT 


245 


ence  with  Lieutenant-General  Grant,  and  the  Department  of 
War.  regarding  thd  best  course  for  his  armies  to  pursue. 

Confederate  General  Wheeler  and  his  cavalry  continued  to 
hover  around  as  near  as  practicable.  December  24th  Sherman 
replied  to  Wheeler’s  flag  with  note,  that  “I  will  let  that  lady 
land,  but  no  more.  No  provision  lias  been  made  for  the  families 
in  Savannah,  and  many  of  them  will  suffer  from  want — and  I 
will  not  undertake  to  feed  them.  I will  give  notice  that  all  fam- 
ilies who  wish  to  leave  can  do  so,  and  I will  provide  the  means 
of  getting  them  to  General  Hardee’s  headquarters.  You  need 
not  send  in  for  small  parties,  and  I will  not  permit  any  more 
flags  of  truce  by  subordinate  commanders.  P.  S.  If  your  pickets 
fire  on  our  boats,  I will  clear  Savannah  and  the  river  of  all  un- 
friendly parties.  ’ ’93 

The  thoroughly  disciplined  veterans  of  Slocum’s  command 
made  good  and  efficient  municipal  governors.  The  city  fire  de- 
partment was  reported  in  good  condition,  and  it  was  continued 
in  service,  and  held  responsible.  It  was  so  with  the  water  works, 
and  gas  works.  .Captain  Silas  Spicer  was  appointed  harbor  mas- 
ter of  the  port.  An  early  hour  for  closing  the  streets  to  all 
others  than  the  guards,  were  strictly  enforced  to  all  persons 
without  proper  passes. 

All  persons  within  the  city  who  had  been  in  any  way  con- 
nected with  the  enemy’s  army,  were  required  to  report  to  Cap- 
tain Ira  B.  Seymour,  and  there  to  register  their  names  with  all 
particulars.  It  is  but  just  in  this  connection  to  wmite  a good 
word  regarding  General  0.  0.  Howard,  commander  of  the  Right 
Wing  of  these  combined  armies.  Christmas  day  he  wrote  to  Rev. 
Mr.  Wynn,  Methodist  clergyman,  namely:  “Have  the  kindness 
to  receive  and  aid  your  Christian  brother  George  W.  Pepper, 
Chaplain  Eightieth  Ohio  Infantry,  giving  him  such  facilities  for 
serving  your  church  as  will  not  materially  interrupt  your  own 
work.”  This  regiment  was  thus  enabled  to  enjoy  an  unique 
experience  in  army  life,  of  listening  to  its  Chaplain  without 
standing,  or  sitting  on  the  ground.  Citizens  did  not  attend  these 
services  numerously. 

Christmas  day  General  Slocum  issued  his  General  Orders, 
Number  three,  for  his  corps  commanders  to  make  strict  prepara- 
tions for  another  military  campaign.  As  a beginning  of  such 


246 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


preparation,  “all  officers  who,  by  intemperance,  inefficiency,  or 
ignorance  of  their  duties,  have  shown  themselves  unqualified  for 
the  positions  they  hold,  should  at  once  be  reported  for  dismissal.” 
The  next  day  Sherman  requested  Slocum  to  detail  a compe- 
tent engineer  from  his  command  to  report  to  Brigadier-General 
Langdon  C.  Easton  with  a party  for  the  purpose  of  examining 
the  Savannah  River  and  removing  obstacles  found  in  it.  This 
day  Slocum  ordered  announced  the  following  additions  to  his 
staff : Lieut.  Col.  S.  IT.  Sturdevant,  chief  commissary  of  sub- 
sistence, and  1st  Lieutenant  William  Ludlow,  chief  engineer. 

Special  field  orders  were  issued  December  26th  announcing 
the  United  States  Post  of  Savannah  and  vicinity;  the  duties  of 
the  municipal  authorities  as  subservient  to  the  military;  protec- 
tion for  all  worthy  persons  and  to  their  business,  including  not 
more  than  two  newspapers  whose  editors  would  be  held  to  the 
strictest  accountability. 

General  Slocum’s  soldiers  found  lumber  with  which  they 
built  neat  houses  in  the  ample  public  parks  to  shield  them  from 
the  high  winds  during  the  cool  nights ; and  the  children  played 
around  them  during  the  days.  The  citizens  remained  quietly 
and  closely  in  their  homes. 

There  was  much  heard  from  day  to  day,  however,  from 
numerous  citizens  more  pronounst  inveighing,  than  had  been 
muttered  from  Atlanta  to  Savannah,  against  South  Carolina 
with  expressed  hopes  that  the  army  would  inflict  a greater  pun- 
ishment on  that  State  as  the  chief  instigator  of  the  war;  and 
that  as  far  as  Georgia  was  concerned  the  war  was  at  an  end. 
Many  of  Hardee’s  troops  had  deserted  him,  and  the  Confed- 
eracy. 

General  Sherman  gave  audience  to  twenty  or  more  of  the 
negro  preachers  of  good  address  and,  upon  their  request  for  his 
advice,  he  told  them  that,  while  they  and  their  congregations 
were  free  men  and  women,  they  should  not  do  any  violence  to 
their  former  masters ; that  whenever  reasonable  agreements  could 
be  made  with  them  or  others  they  would  best  remain,  do  good 
work,  and  save  the  money  received  for  it.  The  Secretary  of  War, 
Stanton,  was  present  with  Sherman  at  one  meeting  with  the 
colored  clergymen  of  every  denomination  in  the  city.  He  made 
notes  of  their  expressions,  and,  later,  he  expressed  surprise  at 


1864  PREPARES  FOR  CARO  LIN  AS’  CAMPAIGN  247 


tlieir  comprehension  of  the  real  causes  of  the  war ; that  they  un- 
derstood and  stated  the  principles  of  the  question  as  well  as  any- 
one could.  Adjutant-general  Townsend  of  the  United  States 
Army  Avas  also  present  at  this  meeting,  which  lasted  until  late 
in  the  night.315 

Would-be  speculators  iu  cotton,  and  in  all  other  openings 
for  gain,  began  to  appear  in  Savannah,  even  those  Avho  had  vir- 
tually kidnapped  negroes  and  held  them  confined  until  they  could 
sell  them  to  recruiting  officers  for  the  army,  and  all,  being  threat- 
ened by  Sherman  with  arrest,  took  the  next  ship  for  New  York. 

After  the  settlement  of  the  course  of  the  next  campaign 
through  the  Carolinas,  the  general  opinion  was  that  it  would  be 
attended  with  far  more  danger  to  the  armies  than  Avas  the  March 
to  the  Sea.  Savannah  citizens  Avere  free  with  their  belief  that 
it  AA7ould  be  ‘a  march  into  the  jaAA7s  of  destruction.’  Hardee  Avould 
confront  them  with  an  army  of  30,000  men,  and  R.  E.  Lee  could 
send  an  army  by  rail  to  meet  them  at  a point  advantageous  to 
himself— they  not  thinking  that  Lee  could  be  taken  care  of  by 
General  Grant.  Neither  Slocum  nor  his  men  Avere  unduly  ap- 
prehensive, each  feeling  assured  by  past  experience  that  vigi- 
lance and  their  other  characteristic  soldierly  Aurtues  Avould  well 
withstand  the  Carolinas,  as  well  as  they  had  Avithstood  Georgia. 

General  Sherman  yet  persisted  in  ‘carrying  with  him’  The 
Headquarters  of  the  Military  Drnsion  of  the  Mississippi,  which 
act,  with  many  of  his  other  acts,  has  been  criticised  as  savoring 
of  pedantry,  or  worse,  on  his  part,  and  as  detracting  from  the 
merits  of  the  Avorthy  commanders  in  the  fields  of  operation.96 
By  order  of  Sherman,  December  27th,  the  general  business  head- 
quarters of  this  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi  Avas  for- 
mally transferred  from  Nashville,  Tennessee,  to  Savannah,  Geor- 
gia, with  the  six  officers  in  charge  off  the  clerical  work.97 

The  success  of  the  L'nited  States  armies  in  Georgia,  as  Avell 
as  elsewhere,  brought  into  the  open  many  men  of  strong  and 
Avorthy  character  and  sincere  love  for  the  Union,  who  had  been 
suppressed  by  circumstances  beyond  their  control.  A number  of 
such  men  in  Liberty  and  Tattnall  Counties,  Georgia,  made  them- 
selves knoAvn  to  General  Sherman  and  elicitedf  from  him  a patri- 
otic and  otherwise  commendable  letter  full  of  sympathy,  and  with 
proffer  of  support.98 


248 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


The  chief  engineer  of  the  armies,  Captain  0.  M.  Poe,  was 
directed  to  present  plans  for  a line  of  defenses  for  the  city  of 
Savannah,  and  commanders  of  the  troops  were  called  upon  to 
assist  as  much  as  possible.  Plans  were  produced  that  proved 
practicable  and  efficient. 

Every  effort  was  made  to  stimulate  a just  pride  and  self 
respect  among  the  troops.  They  were  refitted  with  clothing  and 
arms,  and  every  incitement  given  to  the  various  drillings  for 
good  soldierly  bearing  at  all  times  and  in  all  ways.  The  sys- 
tematic discipline  embraced  all  phases  of  garrison,  field,  and  en- 
campment duties,  particularly  for  those  received  from  General 
Foster.  Gambling  was  prohibited,  and  the  soldiers’  time  in  camp 
was  quite  fully  occupied  in  recitation  courses  of  various  kinds, 
to  which  the  lower  rank  officers  were  also  subjected  by  those  of 
higher  rank.  Foraging  was  here  restricted  to  food  for  horses 
and  mules,  as  the  Christmastide  supplies  from  the  coast  fleet 
were  ample  for  the  men.  Dress  parades  were  of  frequent  occur- 
rence, with  reviews  within  the  city  by  corps  and  other  army 
officers,  including  General  Sherman.  Necessary  fatigue  work 
was  carried  forward  both  in  and  around  the  city,  including  the 
erection  of  new  fortifications. 

The  latter  part  of  December  General  Slocum  moved  his 
XXth  Corps  across  the  Savannah  River  for  the  purpose  of  de- 
stroying the  railroad  running  northward.  Other  parts  of  the 
armies  were  moved  further  outside  the  city.  December  31st 
Sherman  wrote  to  Halleck  that  he  had  been  reviewing  the  troops 
of  his  armies,  and  that  lie  felt  a just  pride  in  their  fine  soldierly 
condition  and  their  perfect  equipment.  He  asked  to  be  rein- 
forced at  Wilmington  or  Fayetteville,  North  Carolina,  by  the 
detachments  from  them  that  were  left  in  Tennessee. 

The  abstract  of  the  retiirn  of  the  Union  forces  at  Savannah, 
Georgia,  December  31st,  showed  the  Left  Wing,  The  Army  of 
Georgia,  composed  as  follows: 

General  Headquarters,  Major-General  Henry  W.  Slocum 
commanding,  with  staff  of  7 officers. 

XIVth  Army  Corps,  General  J.  C.  Davis,  commanding:  598 
officers,  and  13,722  Volunteer  Veteran  Infantry  present  for  duty, 
with  16  cannon. 

XXth  Army  Corps,  General  A.  S.  Williams,  commanding: 


1865 


REPORT  OF  MARCH  TO  THE  SEA 


249 


654  officers,  with  13,464  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry  present  for 
duty,  with  16  cannon.  Aggregate  present  and  absent,  28,788. 

In  his  report  of  the  Savannah  Campaign,  under  date  of 
January  1,  1865,  General  Sherman  expressed  the  following  com- 
pliment to  the  commanders  of  his  armies,  namely : “In  the 
body  of  my  army  I feel  a just  pride.  Generals  Howard  and 
Slocum  are  gentlemen  of  singular  capacity  and  intelligence,  thor- 
ough soldiers  and  patriots,  working  day  and  night,  not  for  them- 
selves but  for  their  country  and  their  men.” 

General  Slocum’s  report  of  the  Savannah  Campaign  reads 
as  follows : 

Headquarters  Left  Wing,  Army  of  Georgia. 

Savannah,  Ga.,  January  9,  1S65. 

Captain  : I have  the  honor  of  submitting  the  following  report  of 
operations  of  the  Fourteenth  and  Twentieth  Corps  during  the  recent 
campaign : 

By  virtue  of  Special  Field  Orders  No.  120,  headquarters  Military 
Division  of  the  Mississippi,  November  9,  1864,  the  army,  then  in  the 
field  near  Kingston  and  Atlanta,  was  divided  into  wings,  the  Fourteenth 
and  Twentieth  Corps  constituting  the  Left  Wing  of  the  army.  Prior  to 
this  organization  these  corps  had  formed  a part  of  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  under  Maj.  Gen.  George  H.  Thomas,  the  Fourteenth  under 
command  of  Bvt.  Maj.  Gen.  J.  C.  Davis,  and  the  Twentieth  Corps  under 
my  command.  After  the  capture  of  Atlanta  the  Twentieth  Corps  oc- 
cupied the  city  and  the  line  of  works  constructed  by  the  enemy,  and  was 
engaged  in  the  construction  of  a new  line  of  works  designed  to  enable  a 
small  garrison  to  hold  the  place.  Heavy  details  were  constantly  em- 
ployed in  this  work  from  October  5 to  November  1.  On  the  29th  of 
September  General  Morgan ’s  division  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps  moved  by 
railroad  to  Chattanooga  and  Huntsville,  to  protect  our  communications 
which  were  then  threatened  by  the  enemy  under  General  Forrest.  The 
other  two  divisions  moved  with  the  main  army  in  its  operations  against 
the  enemy  under  General  Hood. 

On  the  24th  of  October  General  Morgan’s  division  rejoined  the 
corps  at  Gaylesville,  Alabama.  On  the  2nd  of  November  this  corps  was 
concentrated  at  Kingston,  Georgia,  where  preparations  were  made  for 
the  campaign  just  closed.  On  the  13th  of  November  it  was  engaged 
in  the  destruction  of  the  railroad  from  Etowah  River  to  Big  Shanty, 
and  on  the  14th  moved  to  Atlanta.  During  this  movement  the  Twentieth 
Corps  was  left  for  the  defense  of  Atlanta.  The  hospitals  of  every  corps 
of  the  army,  containing  many  of  our  sick  and  wounded,  were  located 
within  the  line  of  works  constructed  by  the  enemy;  and  the  nature  of 
the  movement  of  our  forces  operating  against  General  Hood  had  also 
compelled  the  commanders  of  every  corps  to  leave  at  this  point  a portion 


250 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


of  their  artillery,  together  with  all  surplus  transportation  and  stores.  In 
addition  to  the  troops  and  stores  belonging  strictly  to  the  Twentieth 
Corps,  there  remained  at  the  post  [Atlanta]  12,700  wounded,  sick,  and 
convalescent  soldiers,  eighty  pieces  of  artillery,  and  over  5,000  horses  and 
mules,  together  with  much  other  valuable  property.  The  duty  of  pro- 
tecting this  property  and  securing  supplies  for  the  garrison  and  forage 
for  the  animals  devolved  upon  the  Twentieth  Corps.  At  the  time  our 
railroad  communication  was  destroyed  at  Kingston  and  Big  Shanty,  the 
amount  of  subsistence  stores  on  hand  was  deemed  amply  sufficient  to 
sustain  the  garrison  until  communication  could  be  re-established;  but  it 
was  subsequently  found  necessary  to  send  a portion  of  the  supplies  to 
the  main  army  at  Borne.  The  supply  of  forage  on  hand  was  not  sufficient 
for  the  animals  for  over  three  days.  I was  therefore  compelled  not  only 
to  reduce  the  issue  of  meat  to  a half  ration,  but  to  resort  to  the  country 
for  supplies  of  subsistence  as  well  as  forage.  From  the  10th  of  October 
to  the  4th  of  November  foraging  expeditions  were  sent  into  the  country, 
all  of  which  -were  completely  successful,  and  conducted  with  but  small 
loss  of  life.  About  2,000,000  pounds  of  corn  and  a large  quantity  of 
fodder  were  collected  on  these  expeditions,  together  with  subsistence  for 
the  foraging  parties.  Great  credit  is  due  General  Geary,  Colonels  Bobin- 
son,  Dustin,  and  Carman,  the  officers  commanding  the  several  expeditions; 
also  to  Colonel  Garrard  and  the  brigade  of  cavalry  under  his  command. 

The  Twentieth  Corps  left  Atlanta  on  the  morning  of  November  15, 
marching  by  Stone  Mountain  and  Social  Circle  to  Madison,  arriving  at 
the  latter  place  on  the  evening  of  the  18th.  At  that  point  General 
Geary’s  division  moved  to  the  Oconee  and  destroyed  the  railroad  bridge 
over  that  river,  the  other  divisions  moving  direct  to  Milledgeville  via 
Fatonton,  Geary’s  division  rejoining  the  corps  at  Little  Biver.  The 
corps  arrived  at  Milledgeville  on  the  22nd  of  November.  Two  regiments 
were  sent  forward  to  take  possession  of  the  city  and  established  the 
necessary  guards. 

The  Fourteenth  Corps  left  Atlanta  on  the  morning  of  November  16 
and  moved,  via  Decatur,  Covington,  and  Shady  Dale,  to  Milledgeville, 
arriving  at  the  latter  place  November  23rd. 

The  Georgia  railroad  was  destroyed  by  the  Fourteenth  Corps  from 
Litlionia  to  Yellow  Biver,  and  from  Social  Circle  to  Madison  by  the 
Twentieth  Corps.  It  was  also  broken  at  several  points  between  Madi- 
son and  the  Oconee  Biver,  and  the  bridge  at  that  river  was  burned  by 
Geary’s  division  of  the  Twentieth  Corps. 

On  the  24th  of  November  both  corps  moved  from  near  Milledge- 
ville to  Sandersville,  the  Fourteenth  via  Black  Spring,  and  the  Twentieth 
via  Hebron.  The  two  corps  reached  Sandersville  almost  simultaneously 
on  the  morning  of  November  26,  driving  the  enemy’s  cavalry  very  rapidly 
through  the  town.  On  the  27th  both  corps  moved  toward  Louisville,  two 
divisions  of  the  Fourteenth,  unencumbered  by  wagons,  going  via  Fenn’s 
Bridge  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  our  left  flank  and  to  uncover  the 


1864 


REPORT  OF  MARCH  TO  THE  SEA 


251 


crossing  of  Ogeeehee  Eiver  and  Eocky  Comfort  Creek  at  a point  near 
Louisville.  Two  divisions  of  the  Twentieth  Corps  moved  along  the 
Georgia  Central  Eailroad,  from  Tennille  to  Ogeeehee  Eiver,  destroying 
the  road  and  bridges.  The  remaining  division  of  each  corps,  with  all 
the  trains,  moved  on  an  interior  road  direct  to  Louisville.  The  bridges 
over  the  Ogeeehee  Eiver  and  Eocky  Comfort  Creek  had  been  destroyed 
by  the  enemy,  but  a pontoon  bridge  was  soon  constructed  by  Colonel 
Buell,  and  on  the  29th  both  corps  were  encamped  near  Louisville, 
Georgia. 

Two  divisions  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps  left  Louisville  December  1st, 
crossing  Buck  Head  Creek  five  miles  above  the  church,  and  passing 
through  Habersham,  reached  Jacksonborough  on  the  5th.  Baird’s  divi- 
sion moved  from  Louisville  in  support  of  the  cavalry,  and  made  a dem- 
onstration in  the  direction  of  Waynesborough,  rejoining  the  corps  at 
Jacksonborough.  The  Twentieth  corps  left  Louisville  December  1st, 
crossing  Buck  Head  Creek  at  the  church,  and  passing  through  Birdville 
struck  the  railroad  leading  from  Milieu  to  Augusta,  five  miles  from 
Millen,  and  encamped  on  the  5th,  near  Hunter’s  Mills.  From  Jackson- 
borough the  Fourteenth  Corps  moved  toward  Savannah  on  the  Augusta 
and  Savannah  road,  the  Twentieth  Corps  taking  the  road  through  Spring- 
field.  On  the  10th  of  December  my  command  reached  the  main  line  of  the 
enemy’s  works  in  front  of  Savannah  and  took  position,  the  Twentieth 
Corps  on  the  left,  with  its  left  resting  on  the  Savannah  Eiver,  the  Four- 
teenth on  the  right  and  connecting  with  the  Seventeenth  Corps  beyond  the 
canal  near  Lawson ’s  plantation.  Our  line  was  established  as  close  as 

possible  to  that  of  the  enemy,  and  the  time  spent  in  preparation  for  an 

assault  upon  his  works.  Batteries  were  established  by  the  river  in  such 
positions  as  prevented  any  boats  from  passing.  The  steamer  Ida,  while 
attempting  to  pass  up  from  Savannah,  on  the  10th  of  December,  was 

captured  and  burned.  On  the  12th  two  gun-boats  and  the  steamer 

Eesolute  attempted  to  pass  our  batteries  from  above,  but  both  gun- 
boats were  driven  back  by  Winegar’s  battery,  and  the  steamer  was  so 
disabled  that  she  fell  into  our  hands.  She  was  soon  repaired,  and  has 
since  been  transferred  to  the  quartermaster’s  department.  On  the  18th 
a brigade  of  the  First  Division,  Twentieth  Corps,  was  thrown  across 
the  river,  and  established  near  Izard’s  plantation,  on  the  South  Carolina 
shore  in  a position  which  threatened  the  only  line  of  communication  still 
held  by  the  enemy.  A bridge  in  the  meantime  had  been  constructed  by 
the  enemy  from  the  city  to  the  South  Carolina  shore,  and  on  the  evening 
of  December  20  he  commenced  the  evacuation  of  the  city.  The  move- 
ment was  discovered  at  3 A.  M.  on  the  21st,  and  my  command  was  at  once 
moved  forward  and  occupied  the  city. 

For  a more  detailed  account  of  each  day’s  operations,  I respectfully 
refer  you  to  the  reports  of  Maj.  Gen.,  J.  C.  Davis,  commanding  Fourteenth 
Corps,  and  Brig.  Gen.  A.  S.  Williams,  commanding  Twentieth  Corps,  to- 
gether with  the  reports  of  the  subordinate  commanders,  all  of  which  are 


252 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1864 


herewith  inclosed.  So  far  as  active  opposition  on  the  part  of  the  enemy 
was  concerned,  there  was  hardly  an  event  worthy  of  mention  in  a report 
of  this  nature.  The  only  real  annoyance  we  experienced  was  from  the  de- 
struction of  bridges,  and  the  obstruction  of  roads  by  fallen  timber,  and 
these  obstacles  were  very  readily  overcome. 

The  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  on  the  march  is  worthy  of  the 
highest  praise.  They  endured  the  fatigues  of  the  march  with  cheer- 
fulness, and  were  ever  ready,  even  at  the  close  of  a long  day’s  march 
to  use  the  ax  and  spade  in  removing  obstructions  and  repairing  roads  and 
bridges. 

The  result  of  the  campaign  proves  conclusively  the  practicability  of 
subsisting  large  bodies  of  troops  upon  the  enemy’s  country.  After  leav- 
ing the  section  of  country  near  Atlanta,  which  had  already  been  foraged 
upon  by  both  armies,  we  experienced  no  difficulty  in  obtaining  supplies 
for  both  men  and  animals.  Even  the  most  unproductive  sections  along 
our  line  of  march  yielded  enough  for  our  support  so  long  as  the  march 
could  be  continued  from  day  to  day.  It  was  thirty-four  days  from  the 
date  my  command  left  Atlanta  to  the  day  supplies  were  received  from 
the  fleet.  The  total  number  of  rations  required  during  this  period  was 

1.360.000.  Of  this  amount  there  was  issued  by  the  subsistence  depart- 
ment 440,900  rations  of  bread,  142,473  rations  of  meat,  876,800  of  coffee 
and  tea,  778,466  of  sugar,  213,500  of  soap,  and  1,123,000  of  salt. 

As  the  troops  were  well  supplied  at  all  times,  if  we  deduct  the  above 
issues  from  the  amount  actually  due  the  soldiers,  we  have  the  approxi- 
mate quantities  taken  from  the  country,  viz.:  rations  of  bread,  919,000; 
meat,  1,217,527;  coffee,  483,000;  sugar,  581,534;  soap,  146,500;  salt, 

137.000.  The  above  is  the  actual  saving  to  the  Government  in  issue  of 
rations  during  the  campaign  and  it  is  probable  that  even  more  than  the 
equivalent  of  the  above  supplies  was  obtained  by  the  soldiers  from  the 
country. 

Four  thousand  and  ninety  valuable  horses  and  mules  were  captured 
during  the  march  and  turned  over  to  the  quartermaster ’s  department. 
Our  transportation  was  in  far  better  condition  on  our  arrival  at  Savannah 
than  it  was  at  the  commencement  of  the  campaign.  The  average  num- 
ber of  horses  and  mules  with  my  command,  including  those  of  the  pon- 
toon train  and  a part  of  the  Michigan  Engineers,  was  14,500.  We  started 
from  Atlanta  with  four  days’  grain  in  wagons.  Estimating  the  amount 
fed  the  animals  at  the  regulation  allowance,  and  deducting  the  amount 
on  hand  on  leaving  Atlanta,  I estimate  the  amount  of  grain  taken  from 
the  country  at  5,000,000  pounds;  fodder,  6,000,000  pounds;  besides  the 
forage  consumed  by  the  immense  herds  of  cattle  that  were  driven  with 
the  different  columns. 

It  is  very  difficult  to  estimate  the  amount  of  damage  done  the  enemy 
by  the  operations  of  the  troops  under  my  command  during  the  campaign; 
119  miles  of  railroad  were  thoroughly  and  effectually  destroyed,  scarcely 
a tie  or  rail,  a bridge  or  culvert,  on  the  entire  line  being  left  in  eon- 


1864 


REPORT  OF  MARCH  TO  THE  SEA 


253 


dition  to  be  of  use  again.  At  Rutledge,  Madison,  Eatonton,  Milledgeville, 
Tennille,  and  Davisborough,  machine  shops,  turn-tables,  depots,  water- 
tanks,  and  much  other  valuable  property  were  destroyed.  The  quantity 
of  cotton  destroyed  is  estimated  by  my  subordinate  commanders  at  17,- 

000  bales.  A very  large  number  of  cotton  gins  and  presses  were  also 
destroyed.  Negro  men,  women,  and  children  joined  the  column  at  every 
mile  of  our  march;  many  of  them  bringing  horses  and  mules,  w7hich  they 
cheerfully  turned  over  to  the  officers  of  the  quartermaster ’s  department. 

1 think  at  least  14,000  of  these  people  joined  the  two  columns  at  differ- 
ent points  on  the  march,  but  many  of  them  were  too  old  and  infirm,  and 
others  too  young,  to  endure  the  fatigues  of  the  march,  and  were  there- 
fore left  in  the  rear.  More  than  one-half  of  the  above  number,  how- 
ever, reached  the  coast  with  us.  Many  of  the  able-bodied  men  were 
transferred  to  the  officers  of  the  quartermaster  and  subsistence  depart- 
ments and  others  were  employed  in  the  two  corps  as  teamsters,  cooks, 
and  servants. 

Twenty-three  hundred  stand  of  small  arms,  and  a large  quantity  of 
powder,  were  captured  atMilledgeville.  Fifty-one  pieces  of  artillery  were 
abandoned  by  the  enemy,  on  his  evacuation  of  Savannah,  on  the  line  in 
front  of  my  command.  Thirty-eight  pieces  in  addition  to  the  above  were 
also  found  in  works  first  entered  by  the  Twentieth  Corps.  A very  large 
amount  of  ordnance  stores  was  also  found  in  and  about  the  city. 

Bvt.  Maj.  Gen.  J.  E.  Davis,  commanding  Fourteenth  Corps,  and  Brig. 
Gen.  A.  S.  Williams,  commanding  Twentieth  Corps,  were  during  the  en- 
tire campaign  constantly  with  their  troops,  and  were  energetic  and  zeal- 
ous in  discharge  of  every  duty. 

The  Fifty-eighth  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  command  of  Col.  George 
P.  Buell,  organized  as  pontoniers,  and  a portion  of  the  First  Michigan 
Engineers,  under  Maj.  J.  B.  Yates,  accompanied  my  command,  and 
were  at  all  times  most  efficient  in  the  discharge  of  the  arduous  duties 
imposed  upon  them. 

I append  herewith  a statement  of  casualties,  and  also  a statement  of 
prisoners  captured. 

I am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  Slocum, 

Major-General,  Commanding  Left  Wing,  Army  of  Georgia. 
Capt.  L.  M.  Dayton,  Aide-de-Camp. 

The  casualties  on  this  campaign  were:  in  XIVth  Corps,  killed,  o-ne 
officer  and  12  men;  wounded,  one  officer  and  29  men;  missing,  94  men.  In 
XXth  Corps,  killed,  one  officer  and  11  men;  wounded,  5 officers  and  S3 
men;  missing  1 officer  and  164  men.  Total  losses  402. 

Prisoners  captured  by  XVIth  Corps  115  men;  by  XXth  Corps,  30 
officers  and  294  men;  total  439.  The  enemy’s  killed  and  wounded  were 
probably  relatively  greater  than  bis  loss  in  prisoners. 

Genera]  Sherman  gave  his  losses  in  both  armies  in  killed  and 


254 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


wounded  as  1,338,  and  that  those  of  the  enemy  could  not  be  ascertained. 
The  Union  gains  were,  the  great  military  vantage;  65,000  men  fed  and 
32,000  horses  and  mules  foraged  for  forty  days. 

The  United  States  Congress  ‘expressed  thanks  to  Sherman  and  his 
army  for  their  triumphant  march  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta,  and 
through  Georgia  to  Savannah.  ’ 


CHAPTER  XLII 

Beginning  op  ti-ie  Campaign  op  the  Caeolinas 

The  question  of  the  marching  of  Sherman’s  armies  through 
the  Carolinas,  or  of  their  being  transported  by  ocean  and  rivers 
more  directly  to  the  aid  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  was  dis- 
cussed at  the  War  Department  and  between  Generals  Grant  and 
Sherman ; and  the  decision  was  in  favor  of  the  former  course. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Campaign  of  the  Carolinas,  the 
Illrd  Division  of  Slocum’s  XXth  Corps  under  General  Ward 
broke  camp  at  Savannah  January  1st,  and  crossing  the  Savan- 
nah River  it  moved  northward  along  the  Union  Causeway,  the 
avenue  of  escape  of  the  Confederate  army  under  General  Hardee. 
A detachment  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  was  driven  before  the  di- 
vision, and  Ward’s  command  went  into  camp  in  advance  of 
Cheve’s  plantation  near  ITardeeville,  South  Carolina.  January 
17th  the  1st  Division  of  the  XXth  Corps  followed  the  Illrd  and 
encamped  near  Purysburg,  and  the  Illrd  Division  then  occupied 
Plardeeville.  The  Ilnd  Division  remained  in  charge  of  Sa- 
vannah. 

About  the  middle  of  January,  most  of  Howard’s  Right  Wing 
was  sent  by  ships  from  near  Savannah  to  Beaufort,  South  Caro- 
lina, then  in  possession  of  United  States  troops.  This  Wing  was 
thus  placed  beyond  much  mud  and  water,  thus  having  the  ad- 
vantage of  Slocum’s  Left  Wing  without  effort  to  them. 

Rains  continued  to  fall  so  copiously  that  a great  flood  re- 
sulted, submerging  all  the  rice  plantations  and  the  other  low 
country,  also  many  of  the  dikes  upon  which  the  corduroy  roads 
were  made.  Slocum’s  two  divisions  were  thus  isolated  widely 
from  their  comrades  and  source  of  supplies,  and  even  a part 
of  the  1st  Division’s  wagon  train  was  separated  from  its  part 
of  the  division  by  water. 


1865  LESSENS  LUGGAGE  TO  HELP  EFFICIENCY  255 


General  Geary,  with  his  Ilnd  Division  of  the  XXth  Corps 
was  relieved  of  the  command  of  Savannah  January  19tli  by 
Major-General  John  G.  Foster,  and  the  27th,  after  the  rains  had 
somewhat  subsided,  he  followed  General  Slocum’s  XIYth  Corps 
up  the  Augusta  Turnpike  on  the  southwest  side  of  the  Savannah 
River.  This  course  led  the  enemy  to  again  think  that  Augusta 
was  their  objective  point,  and  they  made  preparations  to  leave 
the  city  after  making  some  preparations  for  its  defense.  The 
weather  became  clear,  and  so  cold  that  the  troops  suffered.  Be- 
fore leaving  Savannah  there  had  been  a general  ‘weeding  out’ 
of  inefficient  men  and  surplus  baggage,  including  large  tents, 
blankets,  chairs,  camp-cots,  and  all  other  unnecessary  baggage. 
Officers  as  well  as  the  enlisted  men  now  occupied  the  small  fly- 
tent,  and  used  boughs  of  trees  as  additional  protection,  to  his 
single  blanket  and  small  tent,  from  the  biting  wind  at  night  as' 
well  as  to  help  shed  some  of  the  rain.  Many  days  of  this  wet, 
muddy  march  they  saw  reason  for  thankfulness  that  they  had  so 
little  unnecessary  baggage.  The  effective  strength  of  General 
Geary’s  Ilnd  Division  of  Slocum’s  XXth  Corps  at  this  time  was: 
1st  Brigade,  68  officers-  and  1,777  enlisted  men;  2nd  Brigade,  72 
officers,  1,145  men ; and  the  3rd  Brigade,  92  officers  and  1,654 
men.  Total,  261  officers,  and  5,061  enlisted  men.  The  mule 
train  for  this  division  was  composed  of  159  army  wagons  and 
33  ambulances.  There  were,  also,  13  pack  mules  for  each  regi- 
ment, and  13  at  Geary’s  headquarters,  making  a total  of  234  pack 
mules.  This  wagon  train  carried  two  weeks’  rations  for  the  men 
including  what  each  soldier  carried  in  his  haversack,  and  one 
week’s  forage  for  the  horses  and  mules.  The  ammunition  part 
of  the  train  carried  504,000  rounds  of  infantry  ammunition,  it 
being  an  allowance  of  100  rounds  per  man.  In  addition  to  this 
each  man  carried  40  rounds  in  his  cartridge  box.  Each  brigade 
had  its  pioneer  company  of  about  30  men  to  lead  the  advance 
when  there  was  no  enemy  near.  This  pioneer  company  kept 
within  ready  access  a tool  wagon  well  loaded  with  axes,  spades, 
picks,  and  bars.  General  Geary’s  quartermaster  also  had  with 
his  trains  a pioneer  company  of  75  negroes. 

As  large  as  General  Geary’s  division,  as  above  mentioned, 
may  appear  to  the  general  reader,  it  was  less  than  one-sixth  part 
of  General  Slocum’s  command  of  infantry,  and  the  pontoniers, 


256 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


engineers,  and  artillery  were  additional.  The  Right  Wing  of 
Sherman’s  armies  under  General  0.  0.  Howard  ranked  about 
the  same  as  Slocum’s  Left  Wing.  Frequently  it  became  desir- 
able, if  not  necessary,  for  one  division,  or  brigade,  to  take  charge 
of  much  of  the  equipment  of  other  brigade,  division,  or  corps. 
At  the  time  that  General  Geary  left  Savannah,  he  had  in  charge, 
in  addition  to  his  own  equipment  as  before  mentioned,  the  head- 
quarters and  corps  trains  of  General  Slocum’s  command,  includ- 
ing the  corps  supply,  and  the  artillery  ammunition  trains,  mak- 
ing in  all  300  vehicles.  Sloan’s  battery,  and  two  regiments  of 
the  1st  Division  of  the  XXtli  Corps,  the  13th  New  Jersey  and 
the  61st  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  which  had  been  left  at  Sa- 
vannah, also  reported  according  to  orders  to  General  Geary,  and 
followed  his  division. 

The  ground  was  frozen  hard  at  the  start  but,  as  the  day  ad- 
vanced, the  heavy  wagons  broke  up  the  surface  more  and  more 
thus  making  the  way  more  rough  and  the  progress  more  difficult 
and  slow.  The  advance  line  prepared  for  encamping  about  3 
o’clock  p.  m.  at  a distance  of  12  miles  from  Savannah;  and  the 
trains  arrived  at  this  point  about  dark.  The  march  was  taken 
up  next  morning  at  six  o’clock.  After  advancing  about  four 
miles  a turn  was  made  to  the  left,  and  about  two  p.  m.  a halt  was 
called  for  encampment  and  3 1-2  miles  short  of  Springfield.  Not- 
withstanding the  bad  condition  of  the  road,  and  the  frequent 
necessity  for  corduroying,  14  miles  were  traveled  this  day.  Jan- 
uary 29th  the  march  was  resumed  at  6.30  a.  m.  The  line  this  day 
led  through  Springfield,  across  the  ford  of  Jack’s  Creek,  then 
turned  to  the  right  on  the  Sister’s  Ferry  road,  across  a bad 
swamp  at  Ebenezer  Creek  where  the  road  required  much  cordu- 
roying, and  encampment  was  made  at  two  p.  m.  on  the  planta- 
tion of  Judge  Mallette  three  miles  from  Sister’s  Ferry,  the  dis- 
tance traveled  this  day  being  12  miles.  A pontoon  bridge  was 
laid  the  30th  across  the  Savannah  River  at  Sister’s  Ferry.  The 
Carolina  side  was  yet  under  water  which  was,  however,  rapidly 
subsiding.  All  of  the  pioneers,  and  those  who  could  well  handle 
an  axe,  were  detailed  to  corduroy  the  road  through  the  swampy 
part.  The  1st  day  of  February  a number  of  torpedoes,  planted 
by  the  enemy  in  the  road,  were  found  and  most  of  them  were 
removed  with  safety.  A few  under  water  and  drift  debris  were 


1865 


SURMOUNTING  EVERY  DIFFICULTY 


257 


exploded  with  some  damage  in  addition  to  several  deaths  not- 
withstanding the  care  exercised  tor  their  removal.  The  weather 
became  warm.  As  the  road  work  progressed,  the  depth  of  the 
water  that  had  been  declining,  again  increased.  There  was  more 
rain,  but  Kilpatrick’s  cavalry  crossed  the  bridge  the  evening  of 
February  3rd,  and  the  next  day  Slocum’s  men  began  to  cross. 
Boats  arrived  here  from  Savannah  and  formed  a depot  of  sup- 
plies, from  which  the  soldiers  filled  their  haversacks,  and  the  sup- 
ply train  wagons  were  replenished.  Three  brigades  of  Geary’s 
division  moved  forward  to  Robertsville  through  roads  nearly 
impassable  by  soldiers,  and  wholly  so  by  wagons.  One  brigade 
was  left  to  guard  the  trains,  which  yet  included  the  wagons  of 
Kilpatrick’s  cavalry.  February  5th,  1,500  men  were  employed 
in  putting  the  road  in  condition  through  this  Black  Swamp  for 
the  wagon  train  to  pass.  The  latter  part  of  the  day  was  occupied 
in  advancing  the  trains  to  the  night  encampment  at  a cross  road 
eight  miles  from  Robertsville.  Near  a Mr.  Trowell’s  house  in 
this  neighborhood  the  bodies  of  three  Union  soldiers  were  found 
and  buried.  They  had  been  shot  in  ‘cold  blood’  by  Wheeler’s 
Confederate  cavalrymen.  After  getting  across  the  Black  Swamp*, 
the  roads  were  such  that  only  nine  miles  could  be  traveled  the 
next  day,  the  weather  being  clear  and  warm.  The  march  was 
taken  up  at  six  o’clock  the  next  morning  along  the  road  to  Law- 
tonville,  beyond  which  town  another  road,  to  Beech  Branch,  was 
followed  and  encampment  was  made  for  the  night  near  Mear’s 
store.  The  country  here  about  was  fertile,  but  it  was  now  de- 
serted by  the  farmers  and  what  little  of  food  supplies  they  had 
left,  if  any,  had  been  taken  by  Confederate  soldiers  and  the  part 
of  Slocum’s  men  who  had  preceded  those  of  Geary’s  division. 
Rain  again  fell  in  great  quantity,  but  at  8 a.  m.  the  march  con- 
tinued, though  slowly  on  account  of  much  necessary  corduroy- 
ing. At  noon  the  head  column  arrived  at  Coosawatchie  Swamp 
through  which  the  road  wras  covered  by  3 1-2  feet  depth  of  water 
for  a distance  of  300  yards,  and  the  surface  of  the  road  was 
uncertain.  There  were  marshalled  600  axmen  and  pioneers  who 
bravely  began  the  work  of  building  a foot  bridge,  and  corduroy- 
ing the  wagon  road  surface.  At  4 p.  m.  Geary’s  division  began 
to  cross.  Three  brigades,  the  artillery,  and  a good  part  of  the 
trains  crossed  during  the  night.  The  bottom  of  the  stream  was 

17 


258 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


Major-General  Slocum  and  his  Army  of  Georgia  in  the  Flood  and  Mud  of  South  Carolina.  They  often  Worked  Day  and 

Night.  Nothing  Could  Long  Stop  their  Progress 


3865 


VETERANS  COULD  NOT  BE  STOPPED 


259 


often  worked  into  holes  of  a quicksand  nature,  and  it  was  fre- 
quently necessary  to  halt  the  wagons  and  send  the  pioneers  with 
corduroying  material  into  the  Avaist-deep  water  to  place  the  tim- 
bers at  the  bottom  and  pin  them  down  that  the  Avagons:  could  be 
taken  0Arer  them.  Selfridge’s  brigade  encamped  on  the  south 
side  to  guard  the  trains  that  could  not  get  across  until  morning. 

General  Slocum  AA'as  now  AArith  this  part  of  his  army,  and  he 
constantly  inspired  his  men  by  his  presence  and  his  words  of 
cheer.  No  complaints  were  heard  from  these  Areteran  volunteer 
soldiers  Avho  had  marched  6 and  1-2  miles  in  the  sultry  day 
through  deep  mud  and  rain,  and  Avorked  hard  all  the  night  in 
the  water  and  mud.  General  Slocum’s  cheering  words  as  he 
passed  back  and  forth  along  the  Avorkmen,  AA’ere  here  as  AA'ell  as 
ever  before  fully  accorded  with ; and  their  efforts  succeeded  bet- 
ter than  their  own  and  their  subordinate  officers’  expectations. 
The  weather  again  cleared  and  the  temperature  became  chilly 
accordingly.  The  roads  now  sliOAATed  improvements  made  by 
Slocum’s  preceding  columns,  yet  the  constant  pounding  on  the 
corduroy  timbers  by  the  long  train  of  heaATy  Avagons  necessitated 
constant  attention  and  repair  of  the  water-soaked  earth  beneath 
the  timbers.  The  trains  moved  6 and  1-2  miles  after  crossing 
the  stream  and  swamp  and  February  8th  the  head  columns 
marched  14  miles,  across  Jackson’s  Branch  to  and  across  the  Big 
Salkehatchie  at  Buford’s  Bridge.  This  last  crossing  included  a 
succession  of  tAventy-three  bridges  Avith  intervening  raised  road- 
Avays,  all  within  a comparatively  short  distance.  The  river  was 
Avide,  deep  and  miry.  On  the  distal  (northern)  side  of  it  Avas 
a strong  line  of  Confederate  military  defenses,  Avith  four  em- 
brasures which  commanded  the  bridges  and  causeAvays  so  fully 
that  a good  garrison  would  make  any  approach  impossible  for 
a contending  force.  These  defensive  AA'orks  were  noAv,  fortu- 
nately, Avithout  garrison  of  the  enemy,  and  three  brigades  and 
most  of  the  trains  were  crossed  and  encamped  on  that  side  of 
the  river.  Before  all  the  teams  could  cross  the  roadAvay  became 
so  deeply  cut,  and  dangerous,  that  Self  ridge’s  brigade  remained 
for  the  night  on  the  south  side  Avith  about  fifty  of  the  wagons. 
Fourteen  miles  were  aA^eraged  this  day.  At  early  daylight  of 
February  9tli  Geary’s  division  Avas  reunited  on  the  north  side 
of  the  river,  the  road  haAung  been  repaired  and,  at  six  o’clock 


260 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


a.  m.,  all  marched  forward  along  the  road  to  the  left  leading 
toward  Blackville.  The  road  was  now  comparatively  good,  the 
country  not  so  level,  and  well  cultivated.  Here  for  the  first  time 
on  the  Campaign  of  the  Carolinas,  the  foragers  found  enough 
of  products  to  compensate  for  their  efforts  in  the  search.  Some 
extended  their  search  as  far  as  Barnwell  and  returned  well  laden. 
At  3 o’clock  P.  m.  encampment  was  made  within  one  mile  of 
Blackville,  near  the  other  divisions  of  the  XXth  Corps  which 
they  had  not  seen  since  the  latter  crossed  the  river  at  Savannah 
to  begin  this  campaign  January  1st.  These  divisions,  the  1st  and 
IHrd,  of  this  corps  had  remained  to  the  northeast  of  the  Sa- 
vannah River  surrounded  by  the  flood  until  January  26th  when 
they  started  northward,  and  arrived  at  Robertsville  the  29th, 
where  they  were  obliged  to  remain  until  February  2nd  when  they 
marched  to  Lawtonville,  skirmishing  with  the  enemy’s  cavalry 
by  the  way.  The  next  day  they  advanced  to  Duck  Branch  Post- 
office,  and  the  next  to  Allendale  Postoffice.  The  5th  they  moved 
to  Buford’s  Bridge,  aud  the  6th  they  crossed  the  Salkehatchie 
River  and  passed  to  the  Little  Salkehatchie.  This  stream  was 
crossed  the  next  day  and  the  march  Avas  extended  to  near  Gra- 
ham’s Station  on  the  South  Carolina  Railway.  The  8th  they 
destroyed  this  road  Avest  from  this  Station  and  returned  to  the 
encampment  for  the  night.  The  9tli  of  February  they  marched 
to  Blackville,  destroying  the  railroad  by  the  Avay;  and  there  they 
joined  Geary’s  Ilnd  DWision  from  which  they  had  been  separ- 
ated as  before  described. 

The  reader  may  have  noticed  that  part  of  Slocum’s  men 
marched  from  Savannah  practically  toAvard  Augusta,  Georgia, 
Avliich  caused  much  uneasiness  in  that  important  city,  and  not  a 
little  preparation  again  among  the  inhabitants  to  escape  with 
their  valuables.  After  Slocum  turned  to  the  right  and  crossed 
the  Savannah  River  the  citizens  of  Charleston  were  the  ones  to 
become  anxious,  and  their  anxiety  did  not  wane  until  it  became 
evident  that  Columbia  Avas  to  be  the  next  important  objective 
place.  The  Georgia  protectors,  Generals  Wheeler,  Hardee,  Hood, 
Beauregard,  Hampton,  and  others  flurried  around  but  did  not 
get  seriously  in  Slocum’s  Avay  until  his  arrival  at  Fayetteville, 
AArerysborough,  and  at  Bentonville  Avhere  they  saAV  their  finish. 


1865  DESTROYS  WAY  OF  CHARLESTON’S  SUPPLY  261 


CHAPTER  XLIII 

South  Carolina.  Captures  Fayetteville 

That  part  of  General  Howard’s  Right  Wing  that  went  by 
sea  to  Beaufort,  used  boats  up  the  river  as  far  as  practicable, 
then  followed  a prescribed  course  to  the  right  of  that  planned 
for  General  Slocum’s  army.  The  part  of  Howard’s  XVtli  Corps 
that  could  not  be  embarked  for  Beaufort,  followed  General  Slo- 
cum’s last  contingent  up  the  southwest  side  of  the  Savannah 
River,  crossed  after  them  at  Sister’s  Ferry,  and  rejoined  their 
XVth  Corps  near  Blackville  February  9tli  or  10th. 

The  1st  Division  of  Slocum’s  XXth  Corps  marched  Feb- 
ruary 11th  to  Duncan’s  Bridge,  joining  the  Ilnd  Division  on 
the  north  side  of  the  river.  The  Illrd  Division  moved  to  Wil- 
liston  Station,  destroying  the  railroad  along  the  way.  It  en- 
camped for  the  night  across  the  south  tributary  of  the  Edisto 
River.  The  12th  the  1st  and  Ilnd  Divisions  moved  to  Jeffcoat’s 
Bridge,  where  the  Illrd  Division  met  them.  The  13th  this  XXth 
Corps  marched  to  Jones’  Cross  Roads;  the  14th  to  Columbia 
Cross  Roads,  and  the  15th  to  near  Lexington.  There  was  skir- 
mishing with  the  enemy’s  cavalry  each  day;  the  enemy  now 
thinking  that  Charleston  was  the  objective  point  of  the 
Unionists. 

The  1st  and  Illrd  Divisions  of  General  Slocum’s  XIYth 
Corps  destroyed  twelve  miles  of  the  Augusta  and  Charleston 
Railroad  above  Barnwell  February  12th.  The  14th  they  moved 
across  the  south  and  north  tributaries  of  the  Edisto  River ; the 
15th  they  pressed  forward  to  near  the  Congaree,  and  to  the 
Beaver  Dam  Creek,  the  advance  columns  entering  Lexington. 
The  entire  XIYth  Corps  was  here  reunited.  The  16th  of  Febru- 
ary it  crossed  the  Congaree,  marched  to  within  sight  of  Colum- 
bia, the  capitol  of  South  Carolina  and,  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  river,  it  prepared  for  battle.  Considerable  skirmishing  with 
the  enemy’s  cavalry  occurred  during  the  day.  The  17th  the 
XIYth  Corps  crossed  the  Saluda  River  by  pontoon  bridge  near 
Mount  Zion  Church,  and  passed  on  to  Freshly ’s  Mills  by  the 
Broad  River.  This  river  was  crossed  two  miles  above  Columbia 
the  19th,  and  a long  stretch  of  the  Greenville  and  Columbia  Rail- 
road was  destroyed  along  the  river  bank  to  Larkin’s  Station. 


262 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


Here  Slocum’s  officers  of  the  XJ'Vth  Corps  learned  of  the  cap- 
ture of  Columbia  by  General  Howard’s  Right  Wing,  also  of  the 
retreat  of  the  enemy  in  the  direction  of  Cheraw,  and  that  the 
Confederate  General  Cheatham’s  command  was  near  the  XIYtli 
Corps  on  its  left.  This  corps  then  marched  forward  through 
Winnsborough,  and  it  went  into  camp  for  the  night  near  White 
Oak.  General  Slocum’s  headquarters  were  at  Winnsborough  at 
this  time,  and  detachments  of  his  different  commands  had  com- 
pleted the  destruction  of  railroads  in  different  directions. 

Inasmuch  as  General  Slocum  was  the  first  to  enter  and 
occupy  Atlanta  the  stronghold,  Milledgeville  the  capitol,  and  Sa- 
vannah the  metropolis  of  Georgia,  General  Sherman  managed 
to  have  Howard,  commander  of  his  Right  Wing,  the  first  to 
enter  and  occupy  Columbia  the  capitol  of  South  Carolina  with 
himself  for  a day  or  two.  Slocum  and  his  Army  of  Georgia  did 
not  enter  the  city,  but  passed  it  on  the  west.  The  disastrous  fire 
this  city  suffered  at  this  time  is  attributed  to  the  firing  of  the 
cotton  by  the  Confederates  at  the  time  of  their  retreat  to  keep 
it  from  being  confiscated  by  the  Unionists ; and  the  high  winds 
scattered  the  ignited  cotton  to  the  inflammable  residences.  It  is 
doubtless  true,  however,  that  the  Right  Wing  of  Sherman’s  Army 
left  more  of  a trail  of  ashes  through  South  Carolina  generally 
than  did  Slocum’s  Left  Wing.  To  help  the  distressed  citizens 
of  Columbia  Sherman  gave  the  mayor  500  of  his  beef  cattle ; also 
100  muskets  with  ammunition  to  guard  them.116 

The  XXth  Corps  marched  well  toward  Colombia  February 
16th  when,  hearing  heavy  guns  there,  two  divisions  were  sent 
yet  nearer  where  they  were  informed  that  the  city  was  well  un- 
der control  by  Howard’s  forces,  and  that  Slocum’s  XIVth  Corps 
Avas  opposite  Columbia.  The  XXth  then  encamped  for  the  night, 
and  the  next  morning  it  moved  to  the  Saluda  River.  Crossing 
this  river  the  18th  it  marched  to  Oakville  Postoffice.  The  19th 
it  arrived  near  the  Broad  River  and  encamped  on  Freshly ’s 
farm  near  his  Mills.  The  march  was  extended  the  20th  to,  and 
across,  the  Broad  and  Little  Rivers  and  to  encampment  on 
Owen’s  farm.  The  march  was  resumed  the  21st  and  it  continued 
to  Winnsborough.  Here  some  citizens  had  set  fire  to  some  build- 
ings, and  the  soldiers  joined  other  citizens  in  preventing  the  fire 
from  spreading.  Here,  as  elsewhere  when  practicable,  the  citi- 


1865  DESTROYS  WAYS  OF  CHARLESTON’S  SUPPLY  263 


zens  were  treated  with,  excellent  renditions  of  patriotic  music  by 
the  well-trained  bands.  The  track  of  the  Charlotte  and  South 
Carolina  .Railroad  was  here  destroyed  toward  White  Oak.  Rab- 
bits abounded  hereabouts  and  some  were  caught  alive  for  pets. 
The  1st  and  Illrd  Divisions  moved  forward  and  encamped  by 
Reaver  Dam  Creek. 

Several  Union  foragers  were  found  hanging  and  dead  by 
the  roadside  with  papers  attached  to  their  clothing  on  which 
was  written  ‘Death  to  all  foragers.’  Toward  Chesterfield  twenty- 
one  infantry  soldiers  were  found  dead  in  a ravine  with  their 
throats  cut.  Possibly  these  soldiers  were  stragglers  from  forag- 
ing parties  who  had  been  some  days  away  from  their  company 
‘taking  it  easy  and  having  a good  time  on  their  own  responsi- 
bility.’ 

It  being  reported  that  a strong  column  of  Confederate  cav- 
alry was  on  their  front,  the  Illrd  Division  was  sent  rapidly  for- 
ward to  intercept  it.  No  part  of  the  enemy  could  be  found,  how- 
ever, although  a sharp  hunt  was  made  through  the  country  to 
and  across  the  Catawba  or  Wateree  River  at  Rocky  Mount  Ferry 
February  22nd.  The  enemy,  led  by  Beauregard,  had  gone  to- 
ward Charlotte  to  protect  this  town  from  the  Unionists,  who  now 
turned  to  the  eastward  as  they  had  planned  to  do.  The  trains  of 
the  XXth  Corps,  with  250  wagons  of  Kilpatrick’s  cavalry  which 
had  been  part  of  Slocum’s  charge  constantly  since  the  start  upon 
the  Carolinas’  Campaign,  were  much  delayed  by  steep  ascents 
and  bad  roads.  Even  the  pontoon  wagons  could  not  be  brought 
along  until  late  the  23rd,  when  the  bridge  was  laid  across  the 
Catawba  River  and  the  rough,  rocky,  and  steep  approaches  were 
smoothed ; but  the  rain,  slippervness,  and  dense  darkness  made 
the  crossing  at  night  impracticable. 

A rumor  this  day  went  around  the  commands  that  the  enemy 
had  evacuated  Charleston ; and  this  rumor  was  fully  confirmed 
the  next  day  or  two.  The  different  generals  could  well  explain 
the  cause  of  this  retreat  of  the  Confederates,  as  they  had  de- 
stroyed two  of  the  principal  railroads  which  had  been  supplying 
that  city  and  were  about  to  destroy  another.  The  city  was  soon 
supplied  with  food  carried  thither  by  United  States  ships. 

The  forward  movement  began  early  February  23rd  in  the 
severe  rain,  and  only  five  miles  could  be  traveled  that  day  over 


264 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


the  steep  and  muddy  hillsides.  The  24th  of  February  only  three 
miles  could  be  traveled,  and  it  became  necessary  to  make  en- 
campment for  the  night  near  the  XVIIth  Corps  of  the  Right 
Wing.  Early  the  next  morning  detachments  were  sent  to  repair 
and  corduroy  the  roads  ahead:  and  February  26th  the  XXth 
Corps  and  its  numerous  wagon  trains  were  moved  through  the 
mud  to  Hanging  Rock  Postoffice  where  all  were  employed  the 
27th  in  crossing  Hanging  Rock  Creek.  During  the  next  day  the 
road  was  termed  ‘very  heavy  and  spongy  making  a corduroy 
necessary  for  every  rod.  ’ A very  rare  thing,  a whole  bridge,  was 
found  over  Little  Lynch  Creek,  and  here  General  Ward’s  Illrd 
Division  of  the  XXth  Corps  was  stopped  for  the  night  for  its 
protection,  while  Jackson’s  1st  and  Geary’s  Ilnd  Divisions 
moved  across  and  forward  two  and  a half  miles;  and  the  82nd 
Illinois  Volunteers  was  sent  onward  to  the  Big  Lynch  Creek 
and,  fortunately,  this  regiment  found  and  secured  the  bridge  at 
this  crossing. 

In  the  meanwhile  General  Slocum’s  XIVth  Corps  destroyed 
the  Columbia  and  Charlotte  Railroad  between  White  Oak  and 
Cornwall  the  morning  of  Februaiy  22nd,  and  the  next  day  it  was 
massed  at  Rocky  Mount  Postoffice  by  the  Catawba  River,  Baird 
and  Carlin’s  divisions  having  destroyed  twelve  miles  of  railroad 
and  marched  thirty-eight  miles  within  as  many  hours.  Morgan’s 
division,  meanwhile,  marched  direct  with  the  wagon  trains  by 
way  of  Gladden’s  Grove.  February  24th  this  division  began  to 
move  the  wagons  across  the  Catawba  River  on  their  pontoon 
bridge,  the  river  rising  rapidly  from  continued  rains.  The  night 
of  the  25th  the  anchors  and  ropes  which  had  held  the  pontoons 
in  place,  gave  way  and  they  were  mostly  lost  in  the  surging 
flood.  Only  two  wagons  were  on  the  bridge  at  the  time  of  its 
breaking  loose,  and  again  fortunately  they  were  near  the  distal 
shore  to  which  the  teams  escaped.  The  continued  rise  of  the 
river,  and  the  want  of  material,  prevented  the  completion  of  a 
new  bridge  until  about  midnight  of  the  27th  when  Baird’s  divi- 
sion began  to  cross.  At  the  close  of  the  next  day  the  last  column 
crossed,  and  the  bridge  was  taken  up  during  the  night  for  future 
use.  The  difficulties  Imre  encountered  were  the  most  exciting  and 
troublesome  of  all  the  very  many  bad  conditions  that  had  been 
encountered,  on  account  of  the  rapidity  of  the  great  flood  due 


1865  MEN  WERE  INDEPENDENT  TRAVELERS 


265 


to  the  hilly  country.  The  XIYth  Corps  was  now  far  behind  the 
other  parts  of  General  Slocum’s  Army  of  Georgia,  and  a longer 
route  more  northward  had  been  assigned  to  it.  Forced  marches 
and  long  hours  were  undertaken  in  good  cheer  that  the  continued 
downpour  of  rain  could  not  suppress.  The.  Confederate  General 
Johnston  was  at  Charlotte  to  welcome  this  corps  if  it  visited 
that  city,  toward  which  some  citizens  thought  it  was  marching. 
The  course  was  now,  however,  more  to  the  eastward,  by  way  of 
Hanging  Rock,  Horton’s  Tavern,  Tasihaw,  McManus’s  Bridge 
over  Big  Lynch  River,  Blakeny’s  Cross  Roads,  and  Mount  Crog- 
han.  At  daylight  of  March  1st,  the  XIYth  Corps  continued 
its  march,  Morgan’s  division  leading,  Baird’s  division  closely 
following,  and  Carlin’s  division  with  the  pontoon  train  in  the 
rear,  each  division  now  being  in  charge  of  its  own  supply  trains. 
This  order  of  march  continued  for  several  days.  The  roads 
continued  so  miry  that  a large  part  of  the  command  was  required 
to  work  constantly  on  them,  using  timbers  and  corduroy  mate- 
rial to  help  the  teams  that  the  wagons  should  not  remain  fast 
in  the  mud.  The  handiness,  patience,  and  endurance  of  the 
soldiers  during  these  most  trying  days,  won  the  admiration  and 
high  esteem  of  the  officers.  The  Pedee  River  was  crossed  at 
Pegue’s  Ferry  ten  miles  above  Cheraw  and  three  miles  below 
Sneedsborough,  near  the  southern  line  of  the  State  of  North 
Carolina.  A 920  feet  bridge  was  here  required.  Considerable 
of  the  necessary  lumber  for  it  had  to  be  found,  and  it  was  late 
in  the  evening  of  March  6 th  before  the  bridge  could  be  com- 
pleted. It  was  occupied  most  of  the  night  by  the  crossing  of 
Kilpatrick’s  cavalry.  Early  the  next  morning  the  infantry  be- 
gan to  cross,  and  the  bridge  soon  became  so  much  broken  that 
several  hours  were  required  for  its  repair.  From  here  the  course 
of  the  XIAGh  Corps  led  by  the  way  of  Rockingham,  Blue’s  or 
Love’s  Bridge  over  the  Lumber  River,  and  thence  along'  the 
plank  road  toward  Fayetteville.  The  divisions  separated,  Mor- 
gan’s marching  nearly  thirty  miles  one  day.  The  bridge  across 
Lumber  River  was  saved  from  being  burned  by  its  Confederate 
guard  by  a brave  dash  of  Lieutenant  Dewey’s  foraging  party  of 
the  38th  Indiana  Infantry.  The  evening  of  March  9th  the  entire 
XIYth  Corps  went  into  camp  between  the  15th  and  20th  Mile 
Posts  from  Fayetteville  by  the  plank  road.  Heavy  rains  con- 


266 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


tinued  to  fall  and  the  road  was  soft  and  much  cut  from  the  plank 
being  worn  through  and  displaced  which  greatly  delayed  prog- 
ress. Several  Confederate  soldiers  from  Hardee’s  army  were 
taken  prisoners  during  the  day,  and  they  told  of  the  efforts  be- 
ing made  for  a stand  at  Fayetteville  against  the  advancement  of 
the  Unionists.  March  10th  the  corps  moved  forward  and  massed 
at  the  9th  Mile  Post.  A brigade  of  General  Baird’s  Illrd  Divi- 
sion was  sent  forward  and,  at  the  6th  Mile  Post  a strong  force 
of  Hardee’s  infantry  was  discovered.  Early  the  next  morning 
the  corps  resumed  its  march  and,  after  some  skirmishing  with 
the  enemy’s  cavalry,  Baird’s  division  entered  Fayetteville  about 
10.30  a.  m.  close  upon  the  heels  of  the  rear  guard  of  the  enemy. 
General  Baird  was  directed  by  General  Slocum  to  assume  the 
duties  of  commander  of  the  city,  and  the  other  divisions  en- 
camped on  the  plank  road  two  miles  west  of  the  city.  The  ar- 
senal buildings,  machine  shops,  and  foundries  at  Fayetteville, 
United  States  property,  were  destroyed,  and  a large  quantity 
of  supplies  found  there  were  appropriated  by  the  Union  troops. 

The  XXth  Corps  crossed  Lynch  River  at  Miller’s  Ferry 
March  1st.  Generals  Geary  and  Ward’s  divisions  advanced  and 
encamped  early  in  the  afternoon  at  Brewer’s  Cross  Roads,  and 
Jackson’s  division  marched  three  miles  further  and  went  into 
camp  at  Johnson's  place  on  the  Chesterfield  road.  This  division 
moved  forward  at  6 a.  m.  without  wagons  that  it  might  save  the 
two  bridges  over  Thompson's  Creek  near  Chesterfield.  After 
crossing  Big  Black,  Little  Black,  anti  Smith’s  Mill  Creek  and 
when  within  two  miles  of  Chesterfield  the  advance  guard  was 
fired  upon  by  a strong  line  of  Confederate  skirmishers.  Two 
regiments  of  Selfridge’s  brigade  were  promptly  deployed,  and 
they,  with  two  other  regiments  as  support,  chased  the  enemy 
double-quick  to  and  through  the  town.  General  Hawley  of  the 
second  brigade  was  sent  to  the  left  and  he  secured  the  upper 
bridge  but  little  damaged.  Selfridge  turned  to  the  right,  and 
at  the  lower  bridge  he  was  confronted  by  the  enemy’s  sharp- 
shooters and  artillery  on  the  north  bank.  Major  Reynolds,  chief 
of  the  Union  artillery,  soon  had  two  sections  of  battery  in  posi- 
tion, and  they  soon  silenced  and  routed  the  enemy.  The  Union 
sharpshooters  had,  meanwhile,  protected  the  bridge  from  being 
set  on  fire.  Prisoners  here  captured  reported  that  the  enemy 


1865  PROGRESS  DESPITE  ENEMY  AND  NATURE  267 


there  engaged  was  composed  of  one  brigade  of  infantry  and  sev- 
eral regiments  of  cavalry  in  addition  to  his  artillery.  March 
3rd  Robinson’s  brigade  was  sent  across  the  upper  bridge  to  get 
in  the  rear  of  the  enemy  who  might  oppose  the  crossing  of  the 
lower  bridge;  but  all  of  the  enemy  had  escaped.  Jackson’s  divi- 
sion advanced  toward  Sneedsborough,  and  he  was  followed  by 
the  XXth  Corps  over  very  bad  roads  so  saturated  with  water 
that  the  wagons  were  constantly  cutting  through  the  thin  surface 
into  the  deep  quicksand  below.  Little  and  Big  Westfield  Creeks, 
and  others  nearly  as  bad,  were  crossed  with  great  difficulty. 


Bridging  Over  Swollen  Stream  and  Corduroying  Under  Overflowing  Swamp, 
in  North  Carolina 


Slocum’s  XIVth  Corps  was  now  on  the  roads  to  the  right,  and 
it  was  about  to  build  a bridge  across  the  Great  Pedee  River  near 
the  North  Carolina  State  line.  March  6th  permission  was  ob- 
tained for  the  XXth  Corps  to  cross  this  bridge  and,  following 
the  XV tli  Corps  of  Howard's  Right  Wing,  the  XXth  Corps  here 
crossed  during  the  night,  and  it  encamped  four  miles  northward. 
This  corps  marched  fifteen  miles  on  the  7th,  crossing  Mark’s 
Creek,  and  it  encamped  at  Mark’s  Station  on  the  Wilmington, 
Charleston,  and  Rutherford  Railroad,  one  of  Geary’s  brigades 
destroying  about  two  miles  of  the  track  of  this  road.  On  the  8tli 
of  March,  after  moving  five  miles  the  XXth  Corps  came  to  the 


268 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


road  occupied  by  its  comrades  of  Slocum’s  XIYtli  Corps.  The 
policy  and  orders  of  the  march  was  to  spread  into  and  to  move 
along  as  many  roads  as  practicable  for  the  purpose  of  making 
greater  impression  on  the  residents  of  the  enemy’s  country  as 
far  as  possible,  also  on  account  of  forage,  better  sanitation,  and 
the  better  condition  of  the  roads  generally.  The  XXth  Corps, 
therefore,  made  a new  road  two  miles,  bridging  and  corduroying 
Gum  Creek  and  its  contiguous  swamp.  The  heavy  rains  con- 
tinued. Reconnoitering  parties  reported,  and  Jackson’s  entire 
division  was  brought  forward  to  make  and  repair  roads.  All  of 
the  smaller  creeks  were  smollen  into  large  streams,  and  Lumber 
Creek  with  its  overflow  was  a formidable  river  requiring  a sub- 
stantial bifidge  150  feet  long.  By  3 p.  m.  the  bridges  and  long 
stretches  of  corduroy  were  completed,  and  Jackson’s  division 
with  its  trains  crossed.  At  5 p.  m.  the  rain  again  poured  in  tor- 
rents and  soon  the  road  was  submerged,  the  corduroy  timbers 
were  floated  away  by  the  current,  also  much  of  the  earth  below 
them.  The  fields  were  so  covered  and  saturated  with  water  that 
the  wagon  trains  could  not  be  parked.  With  great  effort  the  corps 
moved  forward  early  on  March  10.  It  was  detained  several  hours 
in  building  a crossing  of  Buffalo  Creek  which  was  ordinarily  a 
mere  rivulet  but  was  now  a torrent  that  exacted  great  attention. 
The  entire  corps  engaged  in  corduroying  the  road  forward  to 
Rockfish  Creek  ten  miles  distant,  where  the  head  column  arrived 
at  3.30  p.  m.  to  find  the  stream  overflowing  its  banks  and  re- 
quiring a bridge  330  feet  long.  The  pontoon  train  was  brought 
forward  and  by  adding  to  the  material  it  contained  the  lumber 
in  the  Avails  and  floor  of  an  unoccupied  building  within  view, 
the  bridge  was  completed  in  the  night.  On  March  11th,  Ward’s 
third  division  was  started  at  early  daylight  to  corduroy  the  road. 
At  10  a.  M.  General  A.  S.  Williams  commanding  the  XXth  Corps, 
received  orders  from  General  Slocum  to  bring  forward  two  divi- 
sions and  a pontoon  train.  He  started  at  once  with  Jackson’s 
and  Ward’s  divisions,  leaving  the  other  trains  with  General 
Geary.  They  crossed  Nicholson  and  Puppy  Creeks,  then  moved 
across  to  the  Albemarle  plank  road,  a mile  or  more  Avest  of  Little 
Rockfish  Creek  and  encamped  the  two  divisions  Avithin  two  miles 
of  Fayetteville,  North  Carolina,  about  6 p.  m.,  General  Slocum’s 
XIVth  Corps  having  already  occupied  the  city  without  serious 


1865 


AGAIN  IN  TOUGH  WITH  FRIENDS 


269 


opposition.  Geary  arrived  at  tlie  encampment  of  liis  companion 
divisions,  with  the  trains,  a little  before  midnight.  On  March 
13th  the  entire  XXth  Corps  was  marched  through  Fayetteville 
in  review  order  before  General  Slocum  and  his  staff  officers  and, 
then  crossing  the  Cape  Fear  River  over  the  pontoon  bridge,  it 
passed  four  miles  along  the  Kyle’s  Landing  Road  where  it  re- 
mained during  the  14th. 

CHAPTER  XLIY 

Again  the  Sea.  Captures  Averysborougii 

Late  in  the  afternoon  of  March  12tli,  General  Morgan’s  divi- 
sion (the  second)  of  the  XIArth  Corps  moved  across  the  Cape 
Fear  River  near  Fayetteville,  and  encamped.  It  was  followed 
the  next  morning  by  the  1st  Division  under  General  Carlin  with 
the  wagon  trains.  Union  forces  had  captured  Wilmington,  and 
had  been  informed  by  two  couriers  with  dispatches  in  cipher 
to  expect  their  comrades  of  the  Campaign  of  the  Carolinas  at 
Fayetteville  and  were  recpiested  to  meet  them  there  with  supplies. 
Consequently  smaller  steamboats  were  loaded  with  supplies  from 
the  Atlantic  fleet,  and  they  steamed  up  the  Cape  Fear  River 
into  Fayetteville  in  good  time.  From  these  boats  Slocum’s  wagon 
trains  were  replenished,  the  foraging  having  been  inadequate 
and  the  rations  short  on  account  of  the  bad  condition  of  the 
roads,  and  the  generally  stripped  condition  of  the  country. 
Here,  also,  it  was  more  desirable  to  rid  the  army  of  the  refugees 
both  white  and  black  who  had  persistently  flocked  around  and 
followed  the  army  to  the  number  of  20,000  or  more.  All  wagons 
heretofore  hauled  for  their  feeding,  were  now  placed  on  the 
boats  fop  Wilmington,  with  the  teams  and  accouterments. 

The  Illrd  Brigade  of  General  Ward’s  ITIrd  Division  of 
General  Slocum’s  XXth  Corps,  Avas  sent  March  15th  under  com- 
mand of  BaT.  Brig.  Gen.  William  CogSAATell  to  reeonnoiter  to- 
Avard  Averysborough  and  Black  Creek  in  the  direction  of  Raleigh. 
This  brigade  met  the  enemy’s  caAfalrv  on  both  roads,  and  short 
skirmishes  resulted  in  which  the  Union  loss  was  one  killed  and 
tAvo  wounded.  The  same  day  General  Williams  marched  tOAvard 
AATerysborough  with  Ward’s  and  Jackson’s  divisions  having, 
from  General  Slocum’s  orders,  sent  all  his  trains,  excepting  part 


270 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


of  the  ordnance  wagons,  with  his  Ilnd  Division  under  Geary 
along  another  road  toward  Cox’s  Bridge  over  the  Neuse  River. 
Williams  made  encampment  for  the  night  between  Silver  Run 
and  Taylor’s  Hole  Creek  in  a pouring  rain,  and  Kilpatrick’s 
cavalry  passed  further  on.  Report  was  soon  returned  from  the 
cavalry  that  a strong  infantry  line  of  the  enemy  confronted  the 
cavalry’s  advance.  Williams  at  once  sent  forward  Hawley’s 
brigade  of  Jackson’s  1st  Division,  though  it  was  now  dark,  to 
support  the  cavalry.  The  next  morning  (the  16th)  General 
Ward  with  his  Illrd  Division  was  sent  out  at  6 o’clock  to  cordu- 
roy the  road  which  was  otherwise  impassable  for  the  wagons. 
Message  came  from  Kilpatrick  at  7.30  a.  m.  that  the  enemy  was 
intrenched  at  his  front  whereupon  Williams  ordered  Ward’s  divi- 
sion forward,  and  he  also  ordered  Jackson  to  send  another  bri- 
gade, thus  leaving  the  trains  with  his  only  remaining  brigade. 
The  head  of  Ward’s  division  arrived  at  9.30  a.  m.  at  the  rear  of 
Hawley’s  position  after  a march  of  five  miles.  Hawley’s  brigade, 
which  had  been  on  duty  all  the  night  with  frequent  skirmishing, 
was  now  relieved  and  Ward’s  division  was  formed  in  line  of 
battle  across  and  to  the  left  of  the  main  road.  Jackson’s  two 
brigades  prolonged  the  Union  line  to  the  right,  relieving  the 
cavalry  which  was  then  massed  at  the  extreme  right.  Self  ridge’s 
first  brigade  of  Jackson’s  division  was  severely  attacked  by  a 
large  force  of  the  enemy  while  the  brigade  was  moving  into  the 
designated  position,  the  enemy’s  desire  being'  to  defeat  and  turn 
the  Union  right.  Selfridge  met  the  attack  thoughtfully  and  vig- 
orously, and  the  enemy  was  repulsed.  The  cavalry  also  made  a 
charge  on  the  enemy  but  the  swampy  ground  was  not  favorable 
for  its  full  success.  Ward  advanced  a detachment  on  the  enemy’s 
right  meanwhile,  and  Major  Reynolds  had  placed  three  batteries 
of  artillery  in  good  position  on  a slight  eminence  within  500 
yards  of  the  enemy’s  intrenchments.  The  work  of  these  cannon 
was  fully  up  to  their  good  standard,  the  enemy’s  embankments 
were  pierced  and  much  havoc  there  resulted.  At  the  same  time 
Colonel  Case  of  Ward’s  advancing  brigade,  charged  the  enemy’s 
right  on  double-quick  pace  routing  and  following  the  retreating 
foe  who  did  not  stop  to  be  captured  in  entirety.  The  Union 
lines  at  once  advanced  rapidly,  capturing  one  12-pounder  can- 
non and  one  12-pounder  howitzer  with  their  ammunition,  horses, 


1865 


BATTLE  OF  AVEBYSBOROUGH 


271 


and  many  of  their  men.  One  of  these  large  guns  was  turned 
upon  the  retreating  foe  to  prevent  his  stopping  and  to  quicken 
his  pace.  His  attempt  to  halt  at  his  second  line  of  defense  was 
frustrated ; but  he  was  found  more  strongly  intrenched  behind 
swampy  and  overflowed  land  about  a mile  distant  with  flanks 
by  swamps,  of  Black  River,  and  a marshy  creek  tributary  to 
Cape  Pear  River,  his  main  positiou  covering  the  Bentonville 
Road.  This  part  of  the  XXth  Corps  of  Slocum’s  Army  of 
Georgia  advanced  boldly,  however,  rapidly  drove  in  the  enemy’s 
skirmishers,  and  pushed  up  to  within  a few  hundred  yards  of 
the  strong  force  of  the  strongly  intrenched  enemy.  Upon  re- 
connoitering  the  situation,  General  Slocum  ordered  a rest  for  the 
already  fatigued  men,  while  awaiting  the  arrival  of  his  XIVth 
Corps.  Owing  to  the  very  bad  condition  of  the  road,  this  corps 
did  not  arrive  and  get  into  position  on  the  left  of  the  XXth 
Corps  until  late  in  the  afternoon  and  in  a heavy  rainfall;  and 
the  desired  attack  on  the  enemy ’s  defenses  was  deferred  for  the 
night  now  closing  in  upon  them.  But  the  large  force  of  the  alert 
enemy,  equal  to  if  not  outnumbering  the  Union  force,  chose  not 
to  await  the  morning.  They  fled  during  the  pitch’  darkness  that 
early  enveloped  the  swamp,  its  water,  and  its  muddy  depths. 
Ward’s  division  was  sent  in  pursuit  early  in  the  morning,  with 
orders  to  halt  at  Averysborough.  It  was  soon  discovered  that 
the  enemy  had  destroyed  several  of  his  wagons,  and  left  one 
caisson,  and  several  ambulances  with  wounded  men.  General 
Ward  found  30  other  wounded  enemy  at  Averysborough.  In 
this  engagement,  a battle  in  fact  of  over  one  full  day’s  duration, 
the  XXth  Corps  took  175  prisoners,  including  60  wounded,  all  of 
whom  were  paroled  and  liberated,  the  wounded  in  hospital.  The 
provost-marshals  of  the  corps  buried  128  of  the  Confederate 
dead,  including  7 officers,  making  his  loss  in  the  hands  of  the 
victors  303.  All  of  those  more  lightly  wounded  escaped  with  their 
comrades.  At  such  engagements,  in  the  enemy’s  country  par- 
ticularly, there  were,  also,  numbers  ‘missing’  fronrtlie  enemy’s 
ranks  who  took  the  opportunity  to  escape  and  be  ‘lost’  among 
their  distant  friends  or  elsewhere.  The  foregoing  list  of  killed 
does  not  include  those  of  the  charge  of  General  Selfridge’s 
brigade.  Many  were  left  there,  and  it  was  observed  that  many 
were  buried  by  their  friends  in  the  intrenchments  of  their  last 


272 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


stand.  General  Williams  estimated  the  enemy’s  loss  in  the  en- 
gagement of  Averysborough  at  800  men  at  least."  The  losses 
sustained  by  Slocum’s  army  were:  killed  10  officers  and  66  en- 
listed men ; wounded  33  officers  and  411  men.  One  officer  and  50 
men  were  missing  from  the  XXth  Corps.  The  loss  in  Kilpatrick’s 
cavalry  was:  killed  two  officers  and  17  men;  wounded  one  of- 
ficers and  58  men ; missing  three  men. 

It  was  the  general  policy  in  the  Atlanta-Savannah  and  the 
Carolinas’  Campaigns,  to  keep  as  free  from  general  engagements 
with  the  enemy  as  practicable,  and  thus  avoid  being  delayed  on 
the  march  by  wounded  men  so  far  in  the  enemy’s  country  with- 
out a constant  base  of  supplies. 

Morgan  and  Carlin’s  divisions  were  directed  to  make  ready 
for  advancing  from  Fayetteville  toward  Averysborough,  the 
trains  to  follow  with  Bail’d ’s  division  which  was  about  to  turn 
over  the  government  of  the  city  to  the  citizens.  The  advance 
division  started  in  the  early  morning  of  March  15th,  following 
the  XXth  Corps,  and  encampment  for  the  night  was  made  at 
Taylor’s  Hole  Creek.  It  is  impossible  for  the  reader  without 
experience  with  the  worst  of  thoroughly  wet  and  stirred  mud 
roads  to  fully  comprehend  the  difficulties  which  embarrassed  and 
delayed  the  progress  of  the  armies  through  the  Carolinas  during 
this  particularly  Avet  season.  It  was  late  in  the  morning  of 
March  16th  before  the  XIV  Corps,  General  J.  C.  Davis  com- 
manding, could  get  started  behind  the  XXth  Corps.  They  had 
not  advanced  far  before  the  guns  AArere  heard  in  the  first  en- 
gagement at  Av&ysborough.  At  10  a.  m.  General  Slocum 
ordered  Davis  to  send  forward  a brigade.  It  was  at  once  started, 
but  the  road  was  so  fully  blocked  Avitli  Avagons,,  pack  mules,  and 
other  parts  of  the  great  trains,  that  the  soldiers  were  obliged  to 
march  irregularly  around  trees,  bushes,  mudholes,  and  other 
obstructions  of  the  AA-oods  which  Avere  thickly  set  with  trees,  some 
fallen,  and  all  surrounded  with  AA’ater.  General  Mitchell’s 
brigade  of  Morgan’s  division  Avas  cheerily  led  forAvard,  however, 
and  it  arrived  in  time  to  do  good  service  as  noted  in  the  foregoing 
account  of  the  engagement.  The  other  two  brigades  of  Morgan’s 
division  were  ordered  foiuvard.  The  Illrd  Brigade,  Fearing ’s, 
Avas  at  once  deployed  and  it  promptly  drove  the  enemy’s  skirm- 
ishers and  then  formed  on  the  left  of  Mitchell’s  brigade  within 


1865 


WINS  BATTLE  OF  AVEBYSBOBOUGE 


273 


musket  range  of  tlie  enemy’s  intrenchments.  From  further 
orders,  Morgan  placed  liis  1st  Brigade  under  General  Vandevere 
between  Fearing ’s  left  and  the  river  and,  after  much  skirmish- 
ing, they  drove  the  outpost  guards  into  their  main  intrench- 
ments which  were  now  found  to  extend  to  the  river  bank. 
Skirmishing  continued  until  nightfall  which  was  near,  the 
Unionists,  meanwhile,  having  much  of  their  force  employed  in 
preparing  breastworks;  and  the  entire  line  bivouacked  in  line 
of  battle  therein  during  the  night.  The  1st  Division  of  the 
XIYth  Corps  under  General  Carlin  was  held  in  reserve  and 
took  no  active  part  in  the  engagements.  The  Illrd  Division 
under  General  Baird  marched  from  Fayetteville  as  guard  of 
the  supply  train  by  way  of  Troublefield’s  Store  with  Cox’s 
Bridge  as  the  objective  point. 

It  was  discovered  early  in  the  morning  of  March  17tli  that 
the  enemy  had  retreated  on  the  Raleigh  Road.  The  casualties  of 
the  XIY  Corps  at  Averysborough  were : killed  one  officer  and 
18  enlisted  men;  wounded  9 officers  and  87  men,  all  of  which  are 
included  in  the  list  of  casualties  on  a previous  page.  The  enemy 
of  Averysborough  was  led  by  General  Hardee,  who  now  joined 
Johnston  at  Bentonville. 

After  caring  for  its  wounded,  and  burying  its  dead  from  the 
engagement  at  Averysborough,  in  the  early  morning  of  March 
17th,  the  XIY  Corps  led  the  march  according  to  the  rule  of 
alternation  between  the  corps,  in  the  direction  of  Bentonville. 
Three  hours  time  was  necessary  to  build  a bridge  across  Black 
River,  and  the  corps  further  marched  eight  miles  and  encamped 
by  Mingo  Creek  in  the  evening  twilight.  Morgan’s  Ilnd  Divi- 
sion led  the  march  early  the  next  morning.  The  enemy’s  cavalry 
was  repeatedly  in  Morgan’s  front,  and  it  as  often  hastened  be- 
yond the  range  of  his  small  arms.  At  Mill  Creek  this  cavalry 
had  placed  its  artillery  from  which  it  fired  on  Morgan’s  ad- 
vancing column,  but  a brigade  was  deployed  which  soon  sent 
them  and  their  guns  scurrying  in  the  distance.  General  Slocum 
came  to  the  front  at  this  time,  and  he  directed  Morgan  to  halt 
his  front  column  until  the  others  could  come  up.  This  required 
the  greater  part  of  the  afternoon,  and  the  troops  were  ordered 
into  encampment  for  rest  from  their  great  fatigue.  Late  in  the 
evening  the  XYth  Corps  of  General  Howard’s  Army  of  the 
18 


274 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


Tennessee  arrived  along  the  road  near  to  the  right  of  General 
Slocum’s  XIVth  Corps  of  the  Army  of  Georgia,  and  it  there  en- 
camped. Slocum’s  XXth  Corps  encamped  many  miles  in  the 
rear. 

It  was  a very  unusual  occurrence  that  a corps  each  of  the 
two  wings  of  Sherman’s  army  came  so  near  together  in  their 
great  march  as  were  Slocum’s  XIVth  and  Howard’s  XVth  Corps 
the  night  of  March  18th.  General  Sherman  was  greatly  elated  in 
the  opening  of  communication  with  the  Union  fleet  at  Wilming- 
ton, and  with  the  receipt  of  his  mail  and  of  supplies  at  Fay^ette- 
ville  'as  well  as  with  the  easy  capture  of  the  last  named  city. 
He  saw  nothing  in  the  skirmishes  following  it  and  in  the  strong 
opposition  of  the  enemy  at  Averysborougli  to  lead  him  to  sur- 
mise further  opposition.  In  fact  his  mind  was  to  the  contrary. 
He  had  been  riding  with  General  Slocum  from  Fayetteville,  and 
was  constantly  endeavoring  to  imbue  his  mind  Avith  the  belief 
that  all  real  opposition  was  over.  The  keen  insight  of  affairs 
and  the  cautious  judgment  of  General  Slocum  could  not  be  led 
far  astray,  however,  and  he  acted  wisely  in  halting  the  advance 
column  of  his  XIVth  Corps,  as  he  did.  It  would  have  been  far 
better  for  Sherman’s  reputation  had  he  deferred  to  Slocum’s 
intuition  and  better  judgment  here  as  well  as  in  several  previous 
instances  where  Slocum  saw  clearer  and  safer  than  he. 


CHAPTER  XLV 

Slocum  Hard  Beset  at  Bentonville 

On  the  morning  of  March  19th  there  were  tAA’o  notable  small 
groups  of  ragged  wall-tents  on  a sloping  bill-side  about  tAventy- 
five  miles  east  of  Fayetteville  and  about  the  same  distance  from 
Goldsborough,  North  Carolina,  toAvard  which  last  named  place 
the  union  armies  Avere  to  moAre.  Those  tents  formed  the  head- 
quarters of  General  Slocum,  who  Avas.host  that  night  to  General 
Sherman,  and  the  other  group  Avas  the  headquarters  of  General 
J.  C.  Davis  commanding  Slocum’s  XIVth  Corps. 

The  early  spring  morning  Avas  soft  and  balmy,  and  the 
shrubbery  and  some  trees  Avere  coA^ered  with  such  delicate 
Arerdure  as  the  soldiers  were  wont  to  see  in  May  in  their  north- 


1865 


IN  A CALM  BEFORE  .4  HARD  BATTLE 


275 


ern  homes.  Fruit  trees  were  in  full  bloom  around  Mr.  Under- 
hill’® farm-house  nearby  and  in  other  places  by  the  roads.  The 
reveille  had  sounded  in  the  camps  of  the  various  regiments  in  the 
woods  and  fields  around  before  5 o’clock  a.  m.  and  the  yet 
fatigued  soldiers  were  enjoying  their  scant  breakfast  of  hardtack 
and  coffee  with  here  and  there  a small  morsel  of  choicer  food  the 
remains  of  a chance  forage  by  the  roadside  or  that  had  been  con- 
served from  the  last  supply  at  Fayetteville.  It  was  Sunday 
morning,  and  a brigade  band  that  had  encamped  in  the  little 
valley  of  Mill  Creek  below  now  played  the  familiar  hymn  of 
Old  Hundred.  Probably  never  before  had  the  sweet  notes  of  this 
grand  old  music  sounded  more  sweetly  than  they  did  in  the 
stillness  of  that  bright  spring  morning  to  the  weary  soldiers 
whose  thoughts  they  wafted  to  homes  and  the  dearest  of  friends 
to  the  northward.  Everything  seemed  to  happily  forebode  a 
Sunday  of  peace  to  the  ragged,  many  coatless,  liatless  and  shoe- 
less, but  undismayed  and  strong  hearted  patriots.  While  the 
pride  of  glorious  war  was  yet  in  full  glow  in  their  breasts,  the 
‘pomp  and  circumstance’  had  temporarily  fled.  A hardier  army 
of  soldiers  never  carried  a gun  or  helped  a supply  wagon  out 
of  the  mire.  Years  of  such  experiences  had  resulted  in  retaining 
in  the  ranks  only  the  most  hardy  and  self-reliant.  “The  deeper 
the  mud  and  the  harder  the  march,  the  jollier  they  were;  and  a 
heavier  rain  pouring  down  on  them  as  they  went  into  camp,  or  a 
wetter  swamp  than  usual  to  lie  down  in,  only  brought  out  a 
louder  volley  of  jokes.  An  army  of  military  Mark  Tapleys,  they 
strode  onward,  uncomplaining  and  jolly  under  the  most  difficult 
circumstances  possible.  ’ ’10° 

General  Sherman’s  ‘supposing  that  all  danger  was  over’91 
had  infused  buoyancy  of  spirit  in  all  those  of  his  officers  who  had 
been  hearing  him  say,  nearly  as  he  wrote,  “all  signs  induced  me 
to  believe  that  the  enemy  would  make  no  further  opposition  to 
our  progress,  and  would  not  attempt  to  strike  us  in  the  flank 
while  in  motion”— just  what  the  enemy  did  do  at  once!  Sher- 
man expected  to  ride  with  the  main  officers  of  his  Right  Wing 
this  day,  March  19th.  About  7 a.  m.  Genei’al  Carlin’s  division 
of  Slocum’s  XIVth  Corps  started  on  the  forward  march,  and 
General  John  A.  Logan’s  XVtli  Corps  of  Howard’s  Right  Wing 
turned  to  the  right  and  marched  away  about  the  same  time. 


276 


MAJOR-GENERAL  1 LOCUM 


1865 


Sherman,  Slocum,  and  J.  C.  Davis  commanding'  Slocum’s  XIV th 
Corps,  rode  together  to  the  parting  of  Sherman’s  and  their  roads, 
and  listened  for  a time  to  the  early  skirmishing  noise  of  the 
enemy’s  opposition  to  the  advance  of  Carlin’s  leading  column. 
To  Davis’s  remark  that  there  was  more  than  the  usual  opposi- 
tion, Sherman  replied  from  his  preconceived  opinion,  “No,  Jeff, 
there  is  nothing  there  but  Dibbrell’s  cavalry.  Brush  them  out 
of  the  way.  Good  morning ; I ’ll  meet  you  to-morrow  morning 
at  Cox’s  Bridge”  and  turning  to  the  right  he  rode  away  to>  join 
Howard.300 

General  Slocum’s  men  had  marched  but  a short  distance 
from  their  night’s  encampment  when  their  advance  guard  met 
a strong  skirmish  line  of  the  enemy ’s  cavalry  which  was  inclined 
to  dispute  the  further  progress  of  Slocum’s  men,  most  of  whom 
had  seen  much  experience  as  foreagers,  and  were  among  those 
misnamed  as  ‘Sherman’s  Bummers’  who  had  generally  made 
short  work  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  desiring  to  keep  between  them 
and  needed  food  supplies.  But  now  their  experience  appealed  to 
the  better  part  of  their  and  their  officers  ’ valor ; and  all  of  Gen- 
eral Hobart’s  first  brigade  was  rapidly  brought  forward,  de- 
ployed, and  pushed  against  the  enemy.  But  slow  progress  was 
made,  however,  with  hard  lighting.  At  1 0 a.  m.  the  Union  advance 
line  had1  progressed  but  five  miles,  and  the  opposition  increased. 
General  Slocum  directed  General  Kilpatrick  to  reconnoiter  again 
with  his  cavalry,  and  to  determine  more  fully  the  numbers  and 
positions  of  the  enemy;  but  his  report  was  not  more  compre- 
hensive than  before.  Slocum  now  sent  Major  Eugene  W.  Guindon 
of  his  staff  to  tell  Gen.  Sherman  that  he  had  been  advancing,  but 
slowly,  and  with  great  opposition.  Colonel  George  P.  Buell’s 
second  brigade  was  then  ordered  to  make  a detour  to  the  left, 
and  attack  the  enemy’s  line  in  the  flank;  but  in  the  meantime 
Hobart’s  right  flank  was  being  attacked  by  the  overlapping 
enemy,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Miles’s  third  brigade  was  de- 
ployed against  him  there.  All  of  General  Carlin’s  division  was 
now  in  line  of  battle,  and  confronting  strong  lines  of  the  enemy 
all  along.  Both  the  right  and  left  of  the  Union  line  were  ordered 
to  assail  the  enemy  and,  with  severe  fighting  they  gained  pos- 
session of  several  hundred  yards  more  of  the  enemy’s  ground. 
Upon  order  they  made  another  bold  dash  and  found  themselves 


1865 


BATTLE  OF  BENTONVILLE 


277 


“all  unprepared  against  a line  of  earth-works  manned  with  in- 
fantry and  strengthened  with  artillery.  The  enemy  opened  upon 
them  such  a destructive  fire  that  they  were  compelled  to  fall  back 
with  great  loss.  Many  men  and  officers  and  two  regimental 
commanders  had  fallen,  and  the  whole  line  was  severely  shat- 
tered; but  very  important  information  had  been  gained.  Ob- 
servations and  the  reports  of  prisoners  captured  left  little  reason 
to  doubt  that  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston’s  whole  army  was  in 
position  in  our  immediate  front,  and  the  persistent  fighting  of 
the  enemy’s  cavalry  had  been  intended  to  give  the  main  body  of 
the  enemy  time  for  ample  preparation.” 

The  morning  was  now  gone.  General  Slocum  had  been  closely 
studying  the  situation,  and  lie  was  now  in  close  conversation 
with  his  commander  of  this  (the  XIYtli)  corps  in  the  woods 
to  the  left  of  the  road  when  a deserter  from  the  enemy  ap- 
proached them  in  charge  of  a member  of  General  Carlin’s  staff. 
This  deserter  from  the  enemy  was  an  intersting  specimen  of  the 
‘galvanized  Yankee’  class,  men  of  the  Union  forces  who  had  been 
captured  by  the  enemy  and  who,  rather  than  suffer  an  uncertain 
prison  existence,  had  enlisted  in  the  enemy’s  army.  He  was 
anxious  to  tell  his  story,  and  it  was  full  of  interest  to  General 
Slocum.  He  said  that  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston  had  gathered 
an  army  of  over  thirty  thousand  men,  and  that  this  force  was 
strongly  intrenched  immediately  in  front  of  Slocum’s  advance 
line.  That  Johnston,  Hardee,  Cheatham,  and  Hoke,  had  just 
ridden  among  their  men,  and  that  all  were  in  the  highest  degree 
of  expectation  of  capturing  all  of  Sherman’s  forces  scattered  as 
they  were  along  different  roads,  they  ‘could  easily  crush  him 
in  detail;’  and  that  Slocum’s  XIYtli  Corps  was  now  in  their 
power,  and  that  they  ‘would  now  take  in  those  two  light  divisions 
[immediately  opposing  them]  out  of  the  wet.’  All  doubt  of  this 
man’s  sincerity  and  truthfulness  was  dispelled  by  his  recognition 
as  John  T.  Williams  by  a member  of  General  Slocum’s  staff 'and 
as  a comrade  soldier  who  enlisted  with  him  at  Syracuse,  New 
York.  Further  evidence  of  Williams’  truthfulness  soon  came 
in  and  the  confirmatory  report  of  Colonel  Henry  G.  Litchfield  of 
General  J.  C.  Davis’s  staff  and  assistant  inspector-general  of  the 
XIYth  Corps.  Th's  officer  had  been  inspecting  the  lines  of 
Slocum’s  two  divisions,  and  making  observations  and  gathering 


278 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


data  regarding  the  enemy  and,  in  answer  to  Slocum’s  inquiry 
he  replied:  “Well,  general,  I find  a great  deal  more  than  Dib- 
brell ’s  cavalry : I find  infantry  entrenched  along  our  whole 
front,  and  enough  of  them  to  give  us  all  the  amusement  we  want 
for  the  rest  of  the  day.” 

General  Robinson's  small  brigade  of  Slocum’s  XXtli  Corps 
had  now  arrived,  making  General  Slocum’s  forces  now  at  hand 
less  than  ten  thousand  men  and  one  battery  of  artillery,  which 
were  opposing  an  enemy  composed  of  between  thirty  and  forty 
thousand  troops  who  had  chosen  their  oavu  ground,  strengthened 
it  with  earth-works  and  artillery,  and  in  choice  positions.  These 
forces  Avere  fully  prepared  and  confident  of  success,  while 
Slocum  had  been  deceived  by  his  ranking  confidant  and  friend ! 
He  Avas  now  fully  undeceived,  and  he  continued  his  energetic 
Avork  to  make  the  most  Augorous  defensive  fighting  possible  to 
him.  We  will  noAV  let  General  Alexander  C.  McClurg,  chief  of 
General  J.  C.  Davis’s  staff,  tell  of  the  battle  that  folloAved,  as  he 
witnessed  it:  “Every  precaution  Avas  taken,  and  the  men  all 
along  our  line  Avere  in  the  act  of  throAving  up  hasty  field-works, 
when  the  attack  [of  the  enemy]  came'  upon  us  like  a whirlwind. 
I had  gone  to  the  rear,  by  direction  of  General  Slocum,  to  order 
General  Williams,  commanding  the  XXtli  Corpus,  to  push  his 
troops  to  the  front  Avith  all  possible  speed.  I found  him  less 
than  a mile  in  the  rear,  whither  he  had  ridden  far  in  advance 
of  his  troops.  Receiving  the  order,  he  galloped  back  to  his  com- 
mand, the  greater  part  of  which  was  still  seAreral  miles  to  the 
rear  and  clogged  in  almost  impassable  roads ; and  I again  started 
for  the  front,  AArliere  the  roar  of  musketry  and  artillery  Avas  con- 
tinuous. Almost  immediately  I met  masses  of  men  slowly  and 
doggedly  falling  back  along  the  road,  and  through  the  fields  and 
open  AA’oods  on  the  left  of  the  road.  They  were  retreating,  and 
evidently  with  good  cause ; but  there  Avas  nothing  of  the  panic 
and  rout  so  often  seen  on  battle-fields  earlier  in  the  Avar.  They 
were  retreating  but  they  Avere  not  demoralized.  Minie-balls  were 
whizzing  in  eArery  direction,  although  I wras  then  far  from  the 
front  line  as  I had  left  it  only  a short  time  before.  Pushing  on 
through  these  retreating  men,  and  down  the  road,  I met  tAvo 
pieces  of  artillery — a section  of  the  19th  Indiana  battery — and 
was  dashing  past  it,  Avhen  the  lieutenant  in  command  called  out 


1865  AGAINST  LAST  CHANCE  OF  THE  ENEMY 


279 


•For  Heaven’s  sake  don’t  go  down  there!  I am  the  last  man  of 
the  command.  Everything  is  gone  in  front  of  you.  The  lieu- 
tenant commanding  my  battery  and  most  of  the  men  and  horses 
are  killed,  and  four  guns  are  captured.  These  two  guns  are  all 
we  have  left.’  Checking  my  horse,  I saw  the  rebel  regiments  in 
front  in  full  view,  stretching  through  the  fields  to  the  left  as 
far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  advancing  rapidly,  and  firing  as  they 
came.  Everything  seemed  hopeless  on  our  center  and  left ; but 
in  the  swampy  woods  on  the  right  of  the  road  our  line  seemed 
still  to  be  holding  its  position.  An  overwhelming  force  had  struck 
Carlin’s  entire  division  and  Robinson’s  brigade,  and  was  driving 
them  off  the  field.  The  onward  sweep  of  the  rebel  lines  was  like 
the  waves  of  the  ocean,  resistless.  Nothing  in  Carlin’s  thin  and 
attenuated  line,  decimated  as  it  had  already  been,  could  stand 
before  it.  It  had  been  placed  in  position  on  the  theory  of  the 
morning,  that  it  was  driving  back  a division  of  cavalry;  but  in 
view  of  the  fact  that  it  was  fighting  an  army,  its  position  was 
utterly  untenable.  As  it  fell  back,  General  Carlin  himself,  un- 
willing to  leave  the  field,  was  cut  off  from  his  troops,  and  nar- 
rowly escaped  death  or  capture.  General  Morgan’s  division  on 
the  right,  had  also  been  heavily  assailed ; but  it  was  better 
situated,  and  not  being  at  this  time  outflanked,  it  held  its  posi- 
tion. One  of  Morgan’s  brigades — that  of  General  Fearing — 
being  in  reserve,  had  not  been  engaged.  When  the  left  first 
began  to  give  way,  General  Davis  sent  Colonel  Litchfield  to  Fear- 
ing with  instructions  to  hold  his  brigade  in  readiness  to  march 
in  any  direction.  A few  moments  later,  when  the  left  was  falling 
back  and  the  rebel  line  was  sweeping  after  them  in  hot  pursuit, 
General  Davis  came  plunging  through  the  swamp  on  his  fiery 
white  mare  toward  the  reserve.  ‘Where  is  that  brigade,  Litch- 
field?’ ‘Here  it  is  sir,  ready  to  march.’  It  was  in  columns  of 
regiments,  faced  to  the  front.  Ordering  it  swung  round  to  the 
left,  General  Davis  shouted,  ‘Advance  upon  their  flank,  Fearing? 
Deploy  as  you  go ! Strike  them  wherever  you  find  them ! Give 
them  the  best  you’ve  got,  and  we’ll  whip  them  yet !’  All  this  was 
uttered  with  an  emphasis  and  fire  known  only  upon  the  field  of 
battle.  The  men  caught  up  the  closing  words,  and  shouted  back, 
‘Hurrah  for  old  Jeff!  We’ll  whip  ’em  vet!’  as  they  swung  off 
through  the  woods  at  a rattling  pace.  Officers  and  men,  from 


280 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


General  Fearing  down,  were  alike  inspired  with  the  spirit  of 
their  commander  and  ‘We’ll  whip  them  yet!’  might  well  be  con- 
sidered their  battle-cry.  They  struck  the  successful  enemy  with 
resistless  impetuosity,  and  were  quickly  engaged  in  a desper- 
ate conflict.  Upon  this  movement,  in  all  probability,  turned  the 
fortunes  of  the  day.  It  was  the  right  thing,  done  at  the  right 
time.  Seeing  at  once  that,  as  Fearing  advanced  his  right  flank 
must  in  turn  become  exposed,  General  Davis  sent  to  General 
Slocum  begging  for  another  brigade  to  move  in  upon  Fearing ’s 
right  and  support  him.  Fortunately,  Coggswell’s  fine  brigade 
of  the  XXtli  Corps  arrived  not  long  after  upon  the  field,  and  it 
was  ordered  to  report  to  General  Davis  for  that  purpose.  Not 
often  does  an  officer,  coming  upon  the  field  with  tired  troops, 
(for  his  men  had  marched  all  the  night  previous)  display  the 
alacrity  which  General  Coggswell  showed  on  receiving  his  orders 
from  General  Davis  to  move  forward  into  that  roaring  abyss  of 
musketry  firing.  It  was  splendidly  done.  The  men  of  these 
two  brigades — Fearing’s  and  Coggswell’s — seemed  to  divine  that 
upon  them  had  devolved  the  desperate  honor  of  stemming  the 
tide  of  defeat,  and  turning  it  into  victory;  and  magnificently 
they  responded.  Finer  spirit  and  enthusiasm  could  not  be  shown 
by  the  troops ; and  it  is  no  wonder  that,  after  a fierce  and  bloody 
contest,  the  flushed  and  victorious  troops  of  the  enemy,  thus 
taken  in  their  flank,  gave  way,  and  in  their  turn  fell  back  in  con- 
fusion. So  stunned  and  bewildered  were  they  by  this  sudden 
and  unexpected  attack  that  their  whole  line  withdrew  from  all 
the  ground  they  had  gained,  and  apparently  re-entered  their 
works.  And  now  there  was  a inll  along  the  whole  front,  which 
gave  invaluable  time  for  the  re-formation  of  our  shattered  lines. 
It  was  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  if  the  ground  could  be  held 
until  night-fall  the  right  wing  would  undoubtedly  be  within 
supporting  distance  by  the  next  morning  at  daylight.”100 


1865 


BATTLE  OF  BEX  TON  VILLE 


281 


CHAPTER  jXLYl 

Conquers  the  Last  Chance  of  the  Confederacy 

“Rapidly  the  work  of  reorganization  and  re-formation  was 
carried  on.  Morgan’s  line,  on  the  right  of  the  road,  was  yet  in- 
tact, and  its  left  needed  only  to  be  slightly  refused.  Carlin’s 
troops — veterans  as  they  were,  and  used  to  all  the  vicissitudes 
of  the  battle-field — were  easily  rallied  in  a new  line,  considerably 
to  the  rear  of  their  former  position,  with  the  left  sharply  refused, 
and  supported  by  such  troops  of  the  XXth  Corps  as  had  reached 
the  front.  The  center  of  the  new  line  rested  upon  a slight  eleva- 
tion, with  open  fields  in  front,  across  which  the  enemy  must  ad- 
vance to  a second  attack.  Here  several  batteries  of  artillery  were 
massed  with  a certainty  of  doing  good  service.  To  the  surprise 
of  every  one,  a full  hour  was  allowed  by  the  enemy  for  these  new 
dispositions ; and  it  was  about  five  o ’clock  before  their  long  line 
was  again  seen  emerging  from  the  pine  woods  and  swampy 
thickets  in  front  and  began  sweeping  across  the  open  fields.  As 
soon  as  they  appeared  our  artillery  opened  upon  them  with  most 
destructive  effect.  Still  they  pressed  gallantly  on,  but  only  to 
be  met  with  a well-delivered  fire  from  our  infantry,  securely  post- 
ed behind  hastily  improvised  field-works,  such  as  our  troops  were 
then  well  skilled  in  throwing  up  in  a brief  time,  and  of  which 
they  had  dearly  learned  the  value.  Attack  after  attack  was 
gallantly  met  and  repulsed,  and  the  golden  opportunity  of  the 
enemy  upon  our  left  was  lost.  Meanwhile,  the  heat  of  the  con- 
flict was  raging  in  front  of  and  around  Morgan’s  division,  in  the 
low  swampy  woods  to  the  front  and  on  the  right  of  the  road. 
This  Union  division  had  filed  into  position  between  one  and 
two  o’clock  in  the  day  with  two  brigades — General  John  G. 
Mitchell’s  and  General  Vandervere ’s- — in  line  of  battle.  When, 
a little  later,  the  troops  upon  the  left  had  been  swept  away,  the 
third  brigade,  Fearing ’s,  had  been  faced  to  the  left,  as  we  have 
seen  and,  supported  later  by  Coggswell,  had  made  their  gallant 
and  effective  charge  upon  the  advancing  enemy,  checking  him 
and  forcing  him  back  to  his  works.  In  this  charge  many  had 
fallen,  and  the  young  and  dashing  Brigadier  Fearing  had  been 
severely  wounded  and  disabled.  Retiring  from  the  field  he  left 
his  brigade,  shattered  and  still  heavily  pressed,  to  the  command 


282 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


of  the  gallant  officer  Lieutenant-Colonel  James  W.  Langley  of 
the  125th  Illinois  Regiment.  After  their  charge  the  brigades 
of  Coggswell  and  Langley  held  position  in  a gap  which  existed 
between  the  divisions  of  Carlin  and  Morgan.  But  the  gap  was 
so  large  that  these  two  decimated  commands  could  but  partially 
fill  it.  Morgan’s  whole  division  was  now  so  stretched  out  over 
such  an  extent  of  ground  that  all  his  troops  were  in  the  front 
line,  and  he  had  no  men  left  for  a second  line  or  a reserve.  As 
all  old  troops  were  wont  to  do  at  that  time  when  in  the  presence 
of  the  enemy,  they  had  at  once  fallen  to  building  such  field-works 
as  could  be  hastily  thrown  up  with  rails  and  light  timber.  As 
one  of  their  officers  expressed  it,  they  had  often  attacked  works, 
but  they  had  rarely  had  the  pleasure  of  fighting  behind  them 
themselves,  and  they  rather  enjoyed  the  prospect.  They  were 
there,  and  they  meant  to  stay.  Their  skirmishers  were  heavily 
engaged  from  the  time  they  took  position,  and  they  found  the 
enemy  in  front  in  force  and  shielded  by  Avell-constructed  works. 
They  were  fighting  more  or  less  severely  until  about  half-past 
four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  enemy  attempted  to 
carry  their  position  by  assault.  The  charge  was  desperate  and 
persistent,  and  the  roar  of  musketry,  as  it  rolled  up  from  the 
low  wood,  was  incessant.  For  half  an  hour  it  continued,  and 
the  commander  of  the  corps,  General  Davis,  sat  uneasily  on  his 
horse  a short  distance  in  the  rear  and  listened  to  it.  He  could 
do  nothing  but  let  these  men  fight  it  out.  Not  a maneuver  could 
be  made,  and  not  a regiment  could  be  sent  to  their  assistance; 
even  his  escort  and  headquarters  guard  were  in  the  line.  Still 
that  terrible  and  continuous  roar  came  back  tli rough  the  woods, 
and  the  smoke  obscured  everything  in  front.  No  ground  seemed 
to  be  yielded,  and  not  a straggler  could  be  seen.  After  a while 
a slight  cessation  was  noticed  in  the  firing;  and  by  direction  of 
General  Davis  I rode  forward  toward  the  line  to  ascertain  de- 
finitely how  matters  stood.  The  ground  was  swampy,  and  here 
and  there  were  openings  through  the  trees,  while  generally 
bushes  and  thickets  obstructed  the  view.  I had  gone  but  a few 
rods  when  I caught  a glimpse  through  a vista,  obliquely  to  the 
left,  of  a column  of  men  moving  to  the  right  straight  across  my 
path  and  directly  in  the  rear  of  our  line,  though  out  of  sight'  of 
it.  They  looked  like  rebels  and  my  sharp-sighted  orderly,  Batter- 


1865 


BATTLE  OF  BENTONVILLE 


283 


son,  said  they  were  ‘rebs;'  but  the  view  was  obscured  by  smoke, 
and  the  idea  that  the  enemy  could  be  in  that  position  was  pre- 
posterous. I hesitated  but  a moment,  and  pressed  on.  An  hun- 
dred yards  further  through  the  bushes,  and  I broke  out  sud- 
denly into  a large,  nearly  circular,  open  space  containing 
perhaps  half  an  acre.  Here  the  view  was  not  a cheerful  one.  On 
the  opposite  side  of  the  opening,  at  perhaps  twenty-five  yards’ 
distance,  was  a body  of  unmistakable  rebel  troops,  marching  by 
the  flank  in  column  of  fours  toward  the  right.  Beyond  the 
column,  under  a wide-spreading  tree,  dismounted,  stood  a group 
of  Confederate  officers,  whose  appearance  and  uniforms  indicated 
high  rank.  As  I broke  through  the  bushes,  and  my  horse  flound- 
ered in  the  mire  for  the  ground  was  very  soft  , I was  greeted 
with  cheers  and  shouts  of  ‘come  down  off  that  horse,  Yank!’ 
Two  or  three  years  earlier  I should  have  quietly  accepted  the 
invitation ; but  we  had  all  grown  used  to  dangers,  and  preferred 
a little  risk  to  the  prospect  of  a Confederate  prison.  I gathered 
up  my  plunging  horse,  and  struck  my  spurs  vigorously  into  his 
sides  turning  him  sharply  to  the  right  and  rear  just  in  time  to 
become  entangled  with  my  orderly  who  came  through  the  bushes 
behind  and  on  the  right  of  me.  Both  horses  went  down  together ; 
and  perhaps  it  is  well  they  did,  for  just  then  my  hilarious  friends 
across  the  way,  finding  their  summons  not  likely  to  be  obeyed, 
sent  a volley  of  minie-balls  recklessly  about  our  heads,  and  I 
saw  the  little  twigs  and  leaves  which  were  cut  off  by  the  bullets 
flutter  down  around  us  as  we,  having  extricated  our  horses,  dis- 
appeared through  the  bushes.  Neither  man  nor  horse  was  hit. 
As  usual  in  their  haste,  our  friends  [the  enemy]  had  fired  high. 
I rode  about  a hundred  yards  to  the  right  and  tried  again  to 
reach  our  line,  but  again  encountered  the  enemy.  This  time  I 
was  more  cautious,  however.  A third  attempt  a little  further  to 
the  right  carried  me  beyond  their  column.  In  my  ride  I had 
met  General  Morgan.  He  was  now  thoroughly  informed  of  his 
perilous  situation.  Mitchell’s  brigade  had  already  discovered 
the  intruders  in  their  rear,  who  at  first  were  thought  by  them 
to  be  reinforcements.  At  this  time  the  division  had  successfully 
resisted  the  persistent  attacks  from  the  front,  and  General 
Yandevere's  brigade,  leaping  over  their  works,  had  pursued  the 
retreating  rebels  into  their  own  works  again.  In  this  pursuit  the 


284 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


lltli  Michigan  regiment  had  captured  the  colors  of  the  40th 
North  Carolina  regiment.  Fortunately,  all  was  now  quiet  in 
front,  and  General  Morgan  quickly  got  his  men  to  the  reverse 
of  their  own  works.  In  other  words  they  were  now  in  front  of 
their  works,  and  prepared  to  sustain  an  attack  from  their  former 
rear.  Hardee’s  corps,  or  a considerable  part  of  it,  had  passed 
through  the  opening  in  the  line  on  the  left,  and  Hardee  and  his 
staff  were  the  group  of  officers  I had  seen  under  the  tree  su- 
perintending the  movement,  or  so  I was  informed  the  next  day 
by  a captive  Confederate  captain.  The  enemy  attacked  vig- 
orously but  instead  of  taking  Morgan  by  surprise,  he  found  him 
ready.  Again  the  struggle  was  sharp  and  bloody,  but  brief. 
Nothing  could  stand  that  day  before  the  veterans  of  the  old 
second  division.  Truly  they  were  enjoying  the  novelty  of  fight- 
ing behind  works.  Hardee  was  repulsed  with  severe  loss.  The 
men  again  leaped  over  their  own  works,  and  charged  to  the  rear 
taking  many  prisoners.  The  14tli  Michigan  captured  the  battle- 
flag  of  the  54tli  Virginia  in  the  rear  of  their  works  just  as,  a 
short  time  before,  they  had  captured  the  North  Carolina  flag  in 
front.  An  incident  like  this  where  troops  resist  in  quick  succes- 
sion attacks  from  front  and  rear,  is  exceptional  in  the  annals  of 
any  battle ; and  yet  it  was  repeated  several  times  in  the  eventful 
history  of  Mitchell’s  and  Vandervere’s  brigades  that  afternoon. 
Not  once,  but  several  times  between  four  and  half  past  six  o’clock, 
they  scaled  their  works  and  met  and  repelled  the  charges  of  the 
enemy  from  their  rear.  It  is  impossible  to  accord  too  high  ad- 
miration to  troops  who,  knowing  themselves  without  connection 
or  support  on  their  right  or  left  flanks,  and  overwhelmingly  at- 
tacked in  front  and  in  rear,  who  could  preserve  all  their  steadi- 
ness and  generally  good  soldierly  qualities,  fighting  now  in  the 
rear  and  noAV  in  the  front  of  their  own  works,  and  could  suc- 
cessfully hold  their  position  during  several  hours  of  almost  con- 
tinuous fighting.  This,  these  two  brigades  had  done.  They  had 
not  lost  a foot  of  ground,  and  had  contributed  their  full  share 
on  that  trying  field  to  wrest  victory  from  seemingly  inevitable  de- 
feat. At  length  daylight  faded,  and  gradually  the  firing  along 
the  whole  line  ceased.  Never  wras  coming  darkness  more  wel- 
come to  wearied  soldiers.  Every  one  knew  that  before  morning 
the  troops  of  the  Eight  Wing  would  have  marched  to  our  assist- 


1865  AGAINST  LAST  CHANCE  OF  CONFEDERACY  285 


ance,  and  that  General  Johnston’s  great  effort  was  handsomely 
foiled.”100  The  foregoing  description  of  the  remarkably  good 
work  of  this  part  of  General  Slocum’s  command,  was  but  the 
result  of  true  American  patriots  who  had  been  carefully  trained 


and  disciplined  for  the  best  possible  work  of  this  high  character 
by  General  Slocum  well  supported  by  his  line  of  admirable  sub- 
ordinate officers.  Into  what  irregular  and  detached  positions  the 
troops  upon  the  field  had  been  thrown  by  the  desperate  wrestle 


286 


MAJOR -GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


of  the  afternoon  is  shown  by  another  dramatic  incident  which  oc- 
curred soon  after  night-fall,  namely:  ‘'General  Mitchell,  tired 
and  worn  out,  had  borowed  a rubber  blanket  and  was  just  com- 
fortably settled  on  the  ground,  when  an  officer  came  and  waked 
him,  saying,  ‘Here  is  a staff  officer  with  a message  for  you.’  He 
sat  up  and  was  confronted  by  a bright  young  fellow  who  said, 
Colonel  Hardee  presents  his  compliments  to  you,  and  asks  that 
you  will  apprise  your  line  that  he  is  forming  in  your  front  to 
charge  the  Yankee  lines  on  your  left.’  General  Mitchell  sprang  to 
his  feet  and  asked  him  to  repeat  his  message,  which  he  did.  The 
General  inquired  what  Colonel  Hardee  it  was ; and  was  told 
Colonel  Hardee  of  the  23rd  Georgia,  commanding  a brigade  in 
Hoke’s  division.  General  Mitchell  asked  the  young  gentleman 
if  he  had  had  his  supper  and  being  told  that  he  had  not  he  was 
politely  sent  in  charge  of  a staff  officer  to  the  officer  in  charge 
of  the  prisoners  in  the  rear.  General  Mitchell  then  drew  in  his 
entire  picket  line,  and  gave  orders  that  at  the  tap  of  a drum 
his  whole  line  should  fire  one  volley,  and  that  the  picket  line 
should  then  resume  its  position  without  further  orders.  By  the 
time  this  was  arranged  the  marching  and  even  the  talking  of  the 
Confederate  line  in  front  could  be  distinctly  heard.  One  loud 
tap  was  given  on  a bass  drum,  and  one  volley  was  fired  low; 
and  General  Mitchell  says,  ‘I  never  expect  to  hear  again  such 
a volume  of  mingled  cries,  groans,  screams,  and  curses.  The  next 
morning  there  was  displayed  in  front  of  our  works,  among  the 
dead,  a line  of  new  Enfield  rifles  and  knapsacks,  almost  as  straight 
as  if  laid  out  for  a Sunday  morning  inspection.  When  we  reached 
Raleigh  a week  or  two  later,  some  of  my  officers  went  to  see 
Colonel  Hardee  who  was  there  in  hospital  wounded.  He  told 
them  that  his  men  had  been  in  the  fortification  in  and  around 
Wilmington  during  the  whole  war ; that  they  had  never  before 
been  in  battle,  and  had  not  participated  in  this  fight  during  the 
day.  They  were  brought  out  for  this  night  attack,  and  were 
determined  to  go  right  over  the  Yankee  lines ; and,  breathing  fire, 
they  had  vowed  to  take  no  prisoners.  But  out  of  the  stillness  of 
that  dark  night  came  that  tremendous  volley  right  in  their  faces 
and  flank.  ‘The  fools’- — these  were  Colonel  Hardee’s  words — 
‘thought  they  were  discovered  and  surrounded.  They  ran,  and  I 
have  do  doubt  they  are  still  running,  for  we  have  never  been 


1865  DEFEATS  THE  HIGHLY  ELATED  ENEMY 


287 


able  to  get  ten  of  them  together  since  their  flight.’  No  further 
attempt,  it  is  needless  to  say,  was  made  to  disturb  the  Yankee 
lines  during  the  night.  Considering  the  great  disaster  which 
was  imminent,  and  which  was  averted,  it  is  not  too  much  to  claim 
for  this  engagement  that  it  was  one  of  the  most  decisive  of 
the  lesser  battles  of  the  war.  When  Johnston,  with  skillful  strat- 
egy, and  with  7 onderful  celerity  and  secrecy,  massed  his  scat- 
tered troops  near  the  little  hamlet  of  Bentonville,  and  placed 
them  unknown  to  his  great  adversary  in  a strong  position  di- 
rectly across  the  road  upon  which  two  ‘light  divisions’  as  he  ex- 
pressed it,  were  marching,  he  proposed  to  himself  nothing  less 
than  to  sweep  these  two  divisions  from  the  field  in  the  first  furi- 
ous onset;  and  then,  hurrying  on  with  flushed  and  victorious 
troops  to  attack,  in  deep  column  and  undeployed,  the  two  divi- 
sions of  the  XXth  Corps  which,  through  heavy  and  miry  roads, 
would  be  hastening  to  the  assistance  of  their  comrades.  These 
divisions  he  expectedto  crush  easily,  while  General  Sherman  and 
the  Right  Wing  were  many  miles  from  the  field.  Then,  with  half 
his  army  destroyed,  with  supplies  exhausted,  and  far  from  any 
base,  he  believed.  General  Sherman  and  his  Right  AVing  only, 
would  no  longer  be  a match  for  his  elated  and  eager  troops.  Never 
before,  in  all  the  long  struggle,  had  fortune  and  circumstances 
so  united  to  favor  him,  and  never  before  had  hope  shone  so 
brightly.  If  Sherman’s  army  were  destroyed,  the  Confederacy 
would  be  inspired  with  new  spirit,  and  ultimate  success  would  be 
at  last  probable.  Doubtless  such  dreams  as  these  flitted  through 
General  Johnston’s  mind  on  that  Sunday  morning,  when  his 
well-laid  plans  seemed  so  sure  of  execution.  With  what  a sad  and 
heavy  heart  he  turned  at  night  from  the  hard-fought  field,  re- 
alizing that  the  last  great  opportunity  was  lost,  we  can  only  im- 
agine. As  the  sun  went  down  that  night  it  undoubtedly  carried 
with  it  in  the  mind  of  General  Johnston,  at  least,  the  last  hopes 
of  the  Southern  Confederacy.”300 


288 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


CHAPTER  XLVII 

Battle  of  Bentonville  Concluded.  Official  Report 

After  the  dose  of  the  Avar  Captain  Joseph  B.  Foraker— a 
lieutenant  in  the  signal  service,  and  the  youngest  member  of 
General  Slocum’s  staff  at  the  time  of  the  Battle  of  Bentonville, 
and  who  in  later  years  was  during  different  terms  Governor  of 
Ohio,  and  United  States  Senator — seeing  some  misstatements  re- 
garding this  battle,  wrote  to  General  Slocum  substantially  as 
follows:  Firing  between  the  men  on  the  skirmish-line  com- 
menced before  Sherman  left  us  on  the  morning  of  the  19th  of 
March,  but  he  asserted  that  there  was  nothing  but  cavalry  in  our 
front.  The  firing  was  continued  steadily,  and  it  constantly  in- 
creased in  volume.  Finally  there  was  a halt  in  the  column. 
General  Slocum  expressed  anxiety  and  sent  Major  W.  G.  Tracy 
and  J.  B.  Foraker  of  his  staff  to  the  front  to  ascertain  definitely 
the  condition  of  affairs.  At  the  edge  of  open  fields  next  to  the 
Avoods  in  which  the  barricades  were,  they  found  the  halted  Union 
skirmish  line.  After  a feAv  minutes  it  again  moved  forAvard,  and 
the  enemy  partly  reserved  their  fire  until  it  got  half-Avay  or  more 
across  the  field.  This  induced  Tracv  and  Foraker  to  think  there 
Avas  but  little  danger  and  they  followed  closely  until  the  enemy 
again  began  a spirited  firing  “in  the  midst  of  which  Ave  were 
sorry  to  find  ourselves.  I remember  Ave  hardly  knew  Avhat  to  do 
— Ave  could  do  no  good  by  going  on  and  none  by  remaining.  To 
be  killed  under  such  circumstances  Avould  look  like  a waste  of 
raw  material,  Ave  thought.  But  the  trouble  Avas  to  get  out.  We 
didn’t  AA7ant  to  turn  back,  as  Ave  thought  that  would  not  look  well. 
While  Ave  were  thus  hesitating  a nearly  spent  ball  struck  Tracy 
on  the  leg,  giving  him  a slight  but  painful  wound.  Almost  at 
the  same  moment  our  skirmishers  charged  and  drove  the  rebels. 

I rode  back  Avitli  Tracy  only  a very  short  distance, 
Avhen  Ave  met  General  Slocum  hurrying  to  the  front.  I found 
that  Slocum  had  been  already  informed  of  the  enemy’s  strong 
intrenclnnent,  and  had  sent  orders  for  everybody  to  hurry  to 
the  front.  I remember,  too,  that  a little  later  Major  Mosely,  I 
think,  though  it  may  have  been  some  other  member  of  General 
Slocum’s  staff,  suggested  that  Slocum  ought  to  have  the  advance 
division  charge  and  drive  the  enemy  out  of  the  way ; that  it  could 


1865 


BATTLE  OF  BENTONVILLE 


289 


not  be  possible  that  there  was  much  force  ahead  of  us,  and  that  if 
we  waited  for  the  others  to  come  up  we  should  lose  a whole  day, 
and  if  it  should  turn  out,  that  there  was  nothing  to  justify  such 
caution  it  would  look  bad  for  the  Left  Wing.  To  this  General  Slo- 
cum replied  patiently  but  in  an  earnest  manner,  'I  can  afford 
to  be  charged  with  being  dilatory  or  over  cautious,  but  I cannot 
afford  the  responsibility  of  having  ray  command  crushed  and 
captured  as  another  command  was  at  Ball’s  Bluff.’  These  re- 
marks made  a lasting  imperssion  on  me.  It  excited  my  confi- 
dence and  admiration,  and  then  was  the  first  moment  that  I 
began  to  feel  that  there  was  really  serious  work  before  us.  . 

General  Slocum  handed  me  a written  message  to  take  to 
General  Sherman.  The  last  words  he  spoke  to  me  as  I started 
were,  ‘Ride  well  to  the  right  so  as  to  keep  clear  of  the  enemy’s 
left  flank,  and  don’t  spare  horse-flesh.’  I reached  General  Sher- 
man just  about  sundown.  He  was  on  the  left  side  of  the  road 
on  a sloping  hillside,  where,  as  I understood,  he  had  halted  only 
a few  minutes  before  for  the  night.  His  staff  wras  about  him. 
I think  General  Howard  was  there,  but  I do  not  now  remember 
seeing  him — but  on  the  hillside  twenty  yards  farther  up  Logan 
was  lying  on  a blanket.  Sherman  saw  me  approaching  and 
walked  briskly  toward  me,  took  Slocum’s  message,  tore  it  open, 
read  it.  and  called  out  ‘John  Logan!  where  is  Logan?’  as  though 
fully  aroused  to  his  duty  from  deep  reverie.  Just  then  Logan 
jumped  up  and  started  toward  us.  He  too  walked  briskly  but 
before  ho  had  reached  us  Sherman  had  informed  him  of  the  sit- 
uation and  ordered  him  to  turn  General  Hazen  and  his  command 
back  and  have  him  report  to  General  Slocum.  It  was  not  yet 
dark  when  I rode  away  carrying  an  answer  to  General  Slocum’s 
message.  It  was  after  midnight  when  I got  back,  the  ride  back 
being  so  much  longer  in  point  of  time  because  the  road  was  full 
of  troops,  it  was  dark,  and  my  ‘ horse-flesh ’ was  used  up.”22 

The  afternoon  of  this  day,  March  19th,  occurred  some  of  the 
most  stubborn  fighting  experienced  at  any  time  during  the  war, 
against  great  odds  in  numbers,  and  first  behind  the  meager 
breastworks  and  then  in  front  of  them  both  in  pursuing  the 
enemy  and,  again,  when  assailed  in  the  rear,  as  portrayed  on  a 
previous  page.  Fortunate  it  was  for  General  Slocum’s  small  and 
nearly  exhausted  force  when  the  clouds  from  the  sky  joined  the 

19 


290 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


smoke  of  battle  and  the  shadows  of  the  trees  thus  preventing  a 
seventh  charge  of  the  enemy’s  strong  force  which  was  then 
withdrawn  for  more  desultory  skirmishing.  General  Slocum’s 
men  bivouacked  for  the  night  at  their  advanced  line  after 
strengthening  here  and  there  their  shattered  breastworks. 

Two  of  General  Geary’s  brigades  of  Slocum’s  XXth  Corps 
arrived  on  the  field  at  daybreak  next  morning,  March  20th,  and 
they  relieved  the  most  fatigued  and  depleted  brigades  which  then 
retired  from  the  front.  Other  changes  of  the  troops  conduced  to 
the  rest  of  those  who  had  been  in  the  most  vigilant  places  dur- 
ing the  night,  and  were  nearly  exhausted.  A heavy  rain  was 
falling,  but  Slocum  early  ordered  a strong  line  of  skirmishers 
to  advance  against  the  enemy’s  line,  which  offered  strong  re- 
sistance, but  was  driven  back. 

General  Morgan  was  directed  to  advance  against  the  enemy 
on  the  right  which  he  did  and,  finding  his  lines  changed,  he 
changed  his  own  line  accordingly  and,  also,  to  accommodate  the 
XVth  Corps  of  Sherman’s  Right  Wing  which  was  now  approach- 
ing the  enemy’s  left  flank.  Upon  reconnoitering  the  situation 
in  that  quarter  by  General  Howard,  he  reported  to  Generals 
Sherman  and  Slocum  that  the  enemy  woiild  soon  retreat.  This 
had  become  a foregone  conclusion  as  the  enemy  was  now  sur- 
rounded on  three  sides  by  the  combined  Union  forces,  and  Mill 
Creek  was  in  his  rear. 

Johnston’s  army  was  badly  crippled  in  the  battle  with  Gen- 
eral Slocum;  and  his  chief  object  now  was  to  get  away  as  soon 
and  as  easily  as  practicable.  Ilis  plans  had  been  altogether  dif- 
ferent from  those  for  retreat,  and  some  time  was  required  for 
this  change.  The  Union  forces  continued  to  skirmish  and  harass 
him  during  the  day  of  the  21st,  and  the  next  morning,  March 
22nd,  the  enemy’s  defensive  works  were  found  deserted.  General 
Sherman  had  been  in  command  two  days  against  the  shattered 
enemy  and,  again,  he  had  let  Johnston  escape. 

General  Sherman’s  reports  regarding  the  condition  of  affairs 
preceding  this  Battle  of  Bentonville,  and  his  action  regarding 
it,  are  very  much  mixed.  Sherman  accompanied  Slocum  from 
Fayetteville,  and  continually  overshadowed  his  characteristic 
caution  with  his  own  belief  that  there  would  be  no  further  trou- 
ble with  the  enemy  on  the  south  side  of  the  Neuse  River.  Sher- 


1865 


BATTLE  OF  BENTONVILLE 


291 


man  wrote  in  his  report  that,  “All  signs  induced  me  to  believe 
that  the  enemy  would  not  attempt  to  strike  us  in  the  flank  while 
in  motion.  I therefore  directed  Howard  to  move  his  Right  Wing 
by  the  new  Goldsborough  Road,  which  goes  by  way  of  Falling 
Creek  Church.  I also  left  Slocum  and  joined  Howard’s 
column.”101  On  the  next  page  of  this  report,  after  merely  men- 
tioning Slocum’s  successful  battle  against  his  (Sherman’s)  old 
enemies  in  Tennessee  (the  Confederate  Generals  Robert  F.  Hoke, 
William  J.  Hardee,  Benjamin  F.  Cheatham,  and  Joseph  E.  Johns- 
ton and  their  near  forty  thousand  men)  and  mentioning  their 
full  expectation  of  defeating  Slocum’s  scattered  forces  first  and 
then  the  other  parts  of  Sherman’s  army  one  by  one,  Sherman 
continues  his  report  in  a chuckling  mood,  and  confusing  state- 
ment, namely:  “But  he  [Johnston]  reckoned  without  his  host. 
I had  expected  just  such  a^  movement  all  the  way  from  Fayette- 
ville, and  was  prepared  for  it.”101  In  this  connection  see  H.  V. 
Boynton’s  book  on  Sherman’s  Memoirs  in  the  Light  of  the 
Record.96  Later,  Sherman  expressed  regrets  that  he  did  not 
earnestly  attempt  a capture  of  Johnston’s  army.116 

General  Sherman  minimized  Slocum’s  battle  of  March  19th, 
devoting  but  a few  Avords  to  it  in  his  Memoirs  Avhile  he  devoted 
long  space  to  his  events  of  the  next  tAvo  days  in  letting  John- 
ston’s army  escape.  The  facts  of  the  losses  of  the  first  day 
speak  loudly  for  Slocum ’s  small  force,  namely : Out  of  ten 
thousand  men  actually  engaged  Avith  Slocum,  his  loss  during 
that  memorable  day  Avas  1,200;  and  his  enemy,  General  John- 
ston in  his  narratBe  of  the  battle  admits  his  loss  as  1,915.  In 
all  the  fighting  of  the  next  two1  days,  Sherman’s  loss  in  both  his 
armies  was  but  little  over  400;  and  Johnston  states  his  loss  as 
428.  These  figures  should  have  been  enough  for  Sherman;  but 
he  would  neither  believe  Johnston  nor  his  own  officers.  Again 
he  Avrote  in  his  Memoirs:  “I  doubt  if,  after  the  first  attack  on 
Carlin’s  dhdsion  [of  Slocum’s  men]  the  fighting  was  as  desper- 
ate as  described  in  Johnston’s  narrative;”  and  the  full  reports 
of  his  officers  had  been  passed  by  him  as  correct ! 

A prominent  officer  of  General  Sherman’s  staff  Avho  saAv 
much  of  General  Slocum  during  this  great  march  Avrote  of  him 
at  the  time  of  this  battle  in  part  as  folloAvs:  “The  Battle  of 
Bentomdlle  Avas  General  Slocum’s  field.  While  his  name  is 


292 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


most  honorably  associated  with  almost  every  great  battle  of 
this  war  from  Bull  Run  to  Gettysburg  in  the  East,  and  since  his 
advent  in  the  Southwest,  the  bloody  combat  at  Bentonville  was 
peculiarly  his  own  affair,  out  of  which  he  has  come  with  fresh 
laurels.  The  unexpected  attack,  the  fierce  assaults  by  far  supe- 
rior numbers,  several  times  repeated,  called  for  all  the  resources 
of  a brave,  cool,  experienced  soldier;  but  Slocum  was  more  than 
equal  to  the  necessities  of  the  hour,  for  he  was  victorious,  and 
his  success  justified  General  Sherman’s  selection  of  him  as  the 
commander  of  the  Left  Wing  of  the  army.  General  Slocum  en- 
joys the  reputation  of  a thoroughly  accomplished  soldier.  It  is 
probably  owing  to  his  complete  mastery  of  all  the  details  of 
his  profession,  his  keen  sense  of  order  and  discipline,  and  his 
energetic  and  magnetic  manner,  that  the  XXtli  Corps,  which  he 
commanded  for  a long  time,  has  gained  its  splendid  reputation. 
He  is  a native  of  New  York,  and  is  as  proud  of  his  State  as  his 
State  is  proud  of  him.  His  personal  appearance  is  prepossessing 
Long,  wavy  brown  hair,  brushed  back  behind  his  ears,  sparkling 
brown  eyes,  a heavy  brown  mustache,  a height  above  the  medium, 
and  a manner  which  inspires  faith  and  confidence,  make  up  a 
most  attractive  figure.  He  seems  to  know  precisely  what  he  has 
to  do,  and  to  be  perfectly  sure  that  he  can  do  it.  It  is  very  cer- 
tain that  he  is  one  of  those  rare  men  who  has  made  few  if  any 
mistakes.”115 

Another  prominent  writer  of  the  time  reads,  that : ‘ ‘ Like 

Hood’s  at  Atlanta  the  onset  of  Johnston  on  Slocum  at  Benton- 
ville was  one  of  the  most  desperate  of  the  war.  In  successive 
waves,  one  column  followed  another,  determined  to  carry  Slo- 
cum’s position  at  any  sacrifice.  Mowed  down  by  Slocum’s  ter- 
rible fire,  the  first  column  reeled  backward  and  broke,  when  the 
second  column  came  on  in  the  same  headlong  desperation.  The 
whole  fury  of  the  attack  spent  itself  at  this  time  in  less  than  an 
hour,  and  yet  in  that  time  the  enemy  made  six  successive  as- 
saults. The  last  charge  broke  for  a moment  Slocum’s  line;  but 
it  recovered  its  position,  and  the  rebel  army,  baffled  and  dis- 
couraged, fell  back  to  its  entrenchments.  So  close  and  murder- 
ous was  the  combat,  that  many  of  the  enemy’s  dead  lay  within 
the  Union  lines,  and  even  around  the  headquarters  of  the  gen- 
erals. For  the  time  it  lasted,  it  was  one  of  the  most  sanguinary 


1865 


DESCRIPTION  AND  CHARACTER 


293 


battles  of  tlie  war,  and  the  only  serious  one  fought  after  leaving 
Atlanta.  No  better  fighting  was  seen  during  the  war  then  at 
Bentonville,  on  the  19th  of  March,  for  Johnston  must  have  had 
double  the  number  of  Slocum,  and  a less  able  general  would 
have  been  overborne  . . . General  Slocum  is  a man  of  fine 

personal  appearance,  being  above  the  medium  height,  and  pos- 
sessing a manner  that  at  once  attracts  the  beholder.  His  long 
brown  wavy  hair  is  pushed  back  behind  his  ears,  which  gives 
additional  force  to  the  frank,  open  expression  of  his  counten- 
ance. His  eyes  are  brown  and  sparkle  with  light,  while  his  whole 
expression  inspires  confidence  and  trust,  and  gives  him  a sort 
of  magnetic  power  over  his  troops.  Probably  there  is  no  gen- 
eral in  the  service  who  is  more  thoroughly  master  of  all  the  de- 
tails of  his  profession  than  he.  A lover  of  order  and  a strict  dis- 
ciplinarian, he  brought  the  XXth  Corps  to  a state  of  perfec- 
tion that  has  given  it  a national  reputation.  It  was  of  vital  im- 
portance to  Sherman  in  the  novel  campaigns  he  was  entering 
upon,  to  have  commanders  over  the  two  wings  of  his  army  that 
never  made  mistakes,  and  it  was  on  this  account  he  brought  Slo- 
cum from  Vicksburg  to  be  his  left  hand  in  the  long  march  he 
contemplated.  Probably  no  commander  ever  leaned  with  such 
implicit  confidence  on  three  subordinates  as  Sherman  did  on 
Thomas,  Howard  and  Slocum.  Slocum’s  character  cannot  be 
better  summed  up  than  in  the  language  of  an  eminent  judge, 
who  in  a private  letter  never  designed  to  be  made  public,  says: 
‘He  was  always  equal  to  the  task  set  before  him,  and  never  was 
known  to  fail  in  any  enterprise  which  he  undertook.  He  is  cer- 
tainly one  of  the  most  persevering  and  indefatigable  men  I ever 
knew,  and  was  always  esteemed  lucky,  while  it  was  plain  to  me 
that  his  successes  were  the  result  of  calculation  and  the  most 
indomitable  energy.  While  he  is  modest  and  unobtrusive,  he 
possesses  genius  of  the  highest  order,  and  a well  balanced  mind ; 
always  cool  and  ready  to  baffle  difficulties,  whether  small  or  gre'at ; 
for  he  has  inexhaustible  mental  resources  in  an  emergency,  and 
can  bring  them  to  bear  with  wonderful  power  in  the  right  direc- 
tion and  at  the  proper  moment  to  insure  success.  I consider  him 
qualified  for  the  highest  stations  in  the  gift  of  the  Government ; 
but  his  proverbial  modesty  will  probably  keep  him  back  from 
reaching  any  of  them.  And  he  seems  to  have  no  ambition  in  that 


294 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


direction.”111  . . . These  estimates  of  General  Slocum’s 

character  have  been  proved  correct  by  many  witnesses ; also  his 
modesty  and  non-assertiveness  in  civil  affairs  were  later  shown  at 
different  times  when  the  highest  offices  were  open  to  him,  as  will 
be  shown  later  in  this  book. 

The  reader  understands  from  the  preceding  pages  that  the 
Campaign  of  the  Carolinas  was  far  more  difficult  and  hazardous 
than  was  the  Atlanta-Savannah  Campaign.  Naturally  the  coun- 
try averaged  more  flat  and  swampy  in  the  Carolinas,  the  season 
was  more  wet  and  cold,  and  the  enemy  was  far  more  numerous  to 
be  guarded  against  and  contended  with. 

General  Sherman  well  knew  that  General  Joseph  E.  John- 
ston, his  enemy  in  Tennessee  and  northwestern  Georgia,  had  been 
called  to  North  Carolina  to  gather  the  scattered  commands  of 
Hardee,  Hood,  Wheeler,  Hoke,  Cheatham,  Hampton  and  other 
officers,  and  that  they  had  been  gradually  closing  in  around  him 
most  of  his  way  through  these  States;  and  he  rightly  estimated 
their  strength  as  near  forty  thousand  men.  After  crossing  the 
line  into  North  Carolina  evidences  of  their  nearness  became  more 
and  more  apparent,  as  Sherman’s  course  became  more  apparent 
to  them.  Sherman  was  a profuse  letter  writer,  as  evidenced  by 
the  Official  Records.  He  passed  his  time  in  Fayetteville  in  writ- 
ing of  his  enemies.  In  one  letter  he  wrote:  ‘‘I  can  whip  Joe 
Johnston  provided  he  does  not  catch  one  of  my  corps  in  flank, 
and  I will  see  that  the  army  marches  hence  to  Goldsborough  in 
compact  form.”  But  this  resolve  was  soon  forgotten,  and  the 
enemy’s  plans  to  break  his  army  into  pieces  and  thus  to  capture 
all,  went  rapidly  on.  In  justice  to  Slocum’s  characteristically 
circumspect  attention  to  his  army,  of  its  surroundings,  and  of  its 
good  work  in  strategy  and  in  all  details,  we  must  class  Sherman’s 
strong  efforts  to  throw  Slocum  off  his  guard  while  on  their  way 
from  Fayetteville  to  the  place  of  their  parting  in  proximity  to 
the  fully  combined  forces  of  the  enemy,  as  the  worst  feature 
and  act  of  this  nerve-shattered,  erratic,  but  great  commander. 

The  enemy  retreated  during  the  night  of  March  21st  to- 
ward Smithfield,  leaving  many  of  his  dead  unburied  and  of  his 
wounded  and  prisoners  in  the  possession  of  the  Unionists.  He 
was  followed  but  two  miles  when  Sherman  recalled  the  troops  to 
march  to  Cox’s  Bridge,  the  former  objective  point  of  Slocum’s 


1865 


MEETING  FRIENDS  AT  GOLDSBORO 


295 


army  at  tlie  Neuse  River,  where  his  XIVth  Corps  arrived  in  the 
evening  after  inarching  eleven  miles.  His  XXth  Corps  marched 
by  way  of  Troublefield’s  store  and  encamped  for  the  night  at 
the  crossroads  near  Falling  Creek.  The  next  morning  this  corps 
followed  the  XIVth.  across  the  x-iver  and  it  encamped  at  Beaver 
Creek.  Late  at  night  the  wagon  trains  of  the  XXth  Corps  wei'e 
moved  toward  Goldsborongli,  and  they  were  followed  in  the  early 
morning  by  the  troops.  Here  General  Sherman’s  armies  were 
passed  under  review,  Thursday  March  23rd,  of  their  generals, 
namely:  General  Slocum’s  Army  of  Georgia,  General  Howai'd’s 
Army  of  the  Tennessee,  and  General  John  M.  Schofield’s  Army 
of  the  Ohio  which  had  recently  been  transferred  from  the  West  to 
Wilmington,  North  Carolina,  xvhence  communication  with  Sher- 
man was  opened  by  way  of  Fayettexulle. 

As  General  Slocum  ’s  men  were  approaching  Goldsborough 
General  Schofield  paraded  his  XXIIIrd  Corps  in  their  honor,  as 
they  had  fought  near  each  other  in  different  battles  in  Tennes- 
see. Slocum’s  men  being  directly  from  the  Battle  of  Benton- 
ville,  all  were  nearly  and  some  entii'ely  shoeless,  and  what  was 
left  of  their  other  clothing  was  indelibly  stained  with  mud  of 
evei’y  color  they  had  encountered  in  their  long  march ; and  their 
faces  were  firmly  begrimed  by  the  soot  of  their  pine-knot  camp 
fires ; but  their  guns  were  in  good  condition  like  their  spirits. 
Schofield’s  men  were  clothed  in  new  uniforms,  and  they  had 
time  to  keep  them  in  as  good  condition  as  their  guns.  While 
Slocum’s  men  wei'e  marching  past  their  reviewers  the  spii'it  of 
good  natured  chaffing  was  rife.  ‘Well  sonnies’  one  of  Slocum’s 
men  called  to  the  freshly  shaved  and  dressed  men  of  General 
Jacob  D.  Cox’s  XXIIIrd  Corps,  ‘do  they  issue  butter  to  you 
regularly  now?’  ‘Oh,  yes,  to  be  sure!’  was  the  instant  l’etort; 
‘but  we  trade  it  off  for  soap !’  This  reply,  with  emphasis  on  the 
word  we,  was  greeted  with  hearty  laughter  on  both  sides,  fol- 
lowed soon  by  rousing  cheers  by  Cox’s  men  when  they  realized 
the  name  of  the  passing  command.102  General  Slocum’s  men 
passed  into  comfortable  encampment  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Goldsborough,  and  thei'e  they  received  in  remarkably  short  time 
complete  outfitting  of  clothing,  and  some  time  for  comparative 
rest. 


296 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


On  account  of  General  Slocum’s  Army  of  Georgia  having 
been  hastily  organized  during  the  stress  of  preparation  for  the 
Savannah  Campaign,  and  the  breaking  of  communication  with 
all  Union  armies  other  than  General  Howard’s  Army  of  the 
Tennessee,  record  of  Slocum’s  army  organization  was  not  trans- 
mitted to  the  War  Department,  or  was  not  received  there  for 
record.  General  U.  S.  Grant  recognized  this  fact  when  Slocum’s 
army  arrived  at  Goldsborough,  and  lie  at  once  telegraphed  to 
the  War  Department  to  have  the  missing  data  there  recorded, 
and  a copy  of  it  sent  to  General  Sherman.  This  was  necessary 
for  the  forwarding  of  army  business,  enabling  every  commander 
of  an  army  to  sign  discharges  from  military  service,  and  other 
important  papers  relating  to  the  conduct  of  his  command.103 

A division  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  passed  a little  east  of 
Slocum’s  encampment  at  Goldsborough,  and  he  suggested  to 
Sherman  the  necessity  for  his  (Sherman’s)  train  to  New  Berne 
having  a strong  guard,  as  Sherman  was  inclined  to  go  beyond 
the  Union  lines  without  sufficient  protection. 

On  the  31st  of  March  General  Slocum  was  requested  to 
recommend  worthy  officers  in  his  command  for  division  quarter- 
masters with  the  rank  of  Major. 

The  officers  now  prepared  their  respective  Official  Reports 
at  Goldsborough.  that  of  General  Slocum  being  as  follows : 

1-Ieadquaeters  Left  Wing,  Army  of  Georgia. 

Goldsborough,  N.  C.,  March  30,  1865. 

Major:  I have  the  honor  of  submitting  the  following  report  of  the 
operations  of  the  Left  Wing  of  the  army  from  our  arrival  at  Savannah  to 
the  present  date: 

The  Second  Division  of  the  Twentieth  Corps  entered  Savannah  bn 
the  morning  of  December  21,  and  was  encamped  in  the  city  doing  garri- 
son duty  from  that  date  until  January  19,  when  it  was  relieved  by 
Grover’s  division  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps;  General  Geary,  the  division 
commander,  performing  the  duties  of  military  governor  of  the  city. 
The  duties  devolving  upon  General  Geary  and  his  command,  during  our 
occupancy  of  Savannah,  were  important  and  of  a delicate  nature,  and 
were  discharged  in  a most  creditable  manner.  Private  property  was  pro- 
tected and  good  order  preserved  throughout  the  city.  General  Geary 
discharged  his  duties  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  military  and  civil 
authorities,  and  won  the  confidence  and  esteem'  of  all  who  had  business 
connections  with  him.  The  Fourteenth  Corps  and  the  First  and  Third 
Divisions  of  the  Twentieth  Corps  were  encamped  north  of  the  city.  On 


1865 


EE  POET  OF  CARO  LIN  AS’  CAMPAIGN 


297 


the  last  of  December  a pontoon  bridge  was  constructed,  under  charge  of 
Colonel  Buell,  across  the  Savannah  River,  and  on  the  1st  day  of  January 
Ward’s  division  moved  over  to  the  Carolina  side,  encamping  about  six 
miles  from  the  river,  on  the  Union  Causeway. 

On  the  17th  of  January  Jackson’s  division  crossed  the  river  and,  to- 
gether with  Ward’s  moved  forward  to  Hardeeville.  It  was  intended  the 
Twentieth  Corps  should  march  to  Robertsville  as  soon  as  the  Right  Wing 
commenced  the  march  from  Poeotaligo,  while  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  mov- 
ing up  on  the  Georgia  side  of  the  river,  should  cross  at  Sister ’s  Ferry 
and  effect  a junction  with  the  Twentieth  near  Robertsville.  An  extraord- 
inary freshet  occurred  before  Geary’s  division  could  be  moved  over,  when 
swept  away  a large  portion  of  the  Union  Causeway  from  Savannah  to 
Hardeeville  and  overflowed  all  the  lowlands  bordering  the  river.  It  soon 
became  impossible  to  communicate  with  the  troops  on  the  Carolina  side 
except  by  boats.  On  the  19th  Jackson’s  division  moved  to  Purysburg, 
from  which  point  both  his  division  and  that  of  General  Ward  drew  their 
supplies.  On  the  20th  of  January  the  Fourteenth  Corps  commenced  its 
march  for  Sister’s  Ferry,  but  its  progress  was  slow  and  difficult.  It  was 
followed  by  Geary ’s  division  of  the  Twentieth  Corps  and  Corse ’s  of  the 
Fifteenth,  which  had  also  been  prevented  by  the  high  water  from  cross- 
ing at  Savannah.  On  the  29th  of  January  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  Geary’s 
division  of  the  Twentieth  Corps.  Corse ’s  division  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps, 
and  Kilpatrick’s  cavalry  were  encamped  at  Sister’s  Ferry,  on  the 
Georgia  side  of  the  Savannah  River.  On  the  same  day  the  First  and 
Third  Divisions  of  the  Twentieth  Corps  moved  to  Robertsville,  three  miles 
from  Sister  's  Ferry,  on  the  Carolina  side  of  the  river.  On  the  morning  of 
the  29th  I crossed  to  the  Carolina  side  and  endeavored  to  open  com- 
munication with  General  Williams,  commanding  the  Twentieth  Corps,  who 
had  accompanied  the  first  and  Third  Divisions  of  his  corps,  but  did  not 
succeed  in  doing  so  until  the  following  day.  Nearly  all  the  country 
bordering  the  river  was  overflowed  by  water  from  one  to  ten  feet  in  depth. 
After  landing  on  the  side  on  which  Williams  troops  were  encamped  I was 
obliged  to  use  a row-boat  in  opening  communication  with  him,  yet  I 
had  not  only  to  open  communication  with  him  but  had  to  place  at  the 
point  he  occupied  at  least  20,000  troops,  with  an  immense  train  of  wagons, 
numbering  at  least  1,000.  A pontoon  bridge  was  constructed  on  the  29th, 
and  five  days  were  spent  in  removing  obstructions  placed  in  the  road 
by  the  enemy,  and  in  building  bridges,  trestle-work,  and  corduroy.  In 
addition  to  the  obstacles  presented  by  the  flood  and  fallen  timber  (most 
of  which  was  under  water)  we  found  torpedoes  buried  in  the  road,  many 
of  which  exploded,  killing  and  wounding  several  soldiers. 

On  the  evening  of  February  3rd,  the  road  was  finished  so  that  we 
could  pass  from  the  bridge  to  the  high  ground  three  miles  distant,  and 
Kilpatrick ’s  cavalry  at  once  commenced  crossing.  The  troops  and  trains 
were  kept  moving  constantly  during  the  night,  as  well  as  the  day,  but 
the  condition  of  the  road  was  such  that  the  rear  of  the  command  was 


298 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


not  on  the  Carolina  side  until  the  evening  of  February  5th.  Geary’s  and 
Corse’s  divisions  followed  the  cavalry  with  orders  to  load  their  wagons 
at  the  depots,  which  had  been  established  above  the  ferry,  and  proceed 
at  once  to  join  their  respective  corps.  Williams  had  been  ordered  on 
the  2nd  of  February  to  proceed  with  the  two  divisions  of  his  command 
from  Eobertsville  to  Graham’s  Station  on  the  South  Carolina  Railroad 
and  to  report  in  person  to  General  Sherman.  He  moved  by  way  of  Law- 
tonville  and  Duck  Branch  Post-office,  reaching  Graham’s  Station  at  12, 
noon,  on  the  7th  inst.  (February).  He  met  with  some  opposition  from 
the  enemy,  particularly  near  Lawtonville,  where  barricades  had  been 
constructed  and  the  roads  blockaded.  He  soon  forced  the  enemy  to  re- 
tire. His  loss  was  fourteen  killed  and  wounded.  I accompanied  Gen- 
eral Geary  on  his  march  from  Savannah  River  to  Blackville  at  which  point 
he  rejoined  his  corps.  General  Davis,  commanding  the  Fourteenth  Corps, 
was  directed,  as  soon  as  his  wagons  were  loaded,  to  move  by  way  of  Barn- 
well to  a point  on  the  South  Carolina  Railroad  near  Williston  Station. 
He  was  delayed  on  account  of  a deficiency  of  subsistence  stores,  being 
compelled  to  send  to  Savannah  for  a quantity  and  keep'  one  division  await- 
ing the  return  of  the  boat.  His  entire  command  reached  the  South  Caro- 
lina Railroad  at  the  point  ordered  on  the  12th  of  February.  The  rail- 
road was  thoroughly  and  effectually  destroyed  from  .Johnson’s  Station  to 
Williston  by  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  and  from  Williston  to  Graham ’s  Sta- 
tion by  the  Twentieth  Corps.  On  the  11th  of  February  Geary’s  and  Jack- 
son’s divisions  crossed  the  South  Edisto  at  Duncan’s  Bridge,  and  en- 
camped on  the  north  side.  Ward  rebuilt  Guignard’s  Bridge,  crossed  at 
that  point  and  rejoined  the  corps  on  the  north  side.  On  the  12tli  the 
Twentieth  Corps  reached  the  North  Edisto.  The  enemy  had  destroyed  the 
bridge  and  taken  position  on  the  north  side  with  two  pieces  of  artillery.  He 
was  soon  driven  away  with  a loss  to  us  of  three  killed  and  ten  wounded. 
The  bridge  was  rebuilt  during  the  night  by  the  First  Michigan  Engineers, 
Colonel  Yates  commanding,  and  on  the  following  morning  the  march  was 
resumed  toward  Lexington. 

The  Fourteenth  Corps  crossed  the  South  Edisto  on  the  13th  of  Febru- 
ary, at  Guignard’s  Bridge,  and  the  North  Edisto  on  the  following  day  at 
Horsey’s  Bridge.  On  the  evening  of  the  loth  of  February  both  corps 
were  concentrated  within  two  miles  of  Lexington.  On  the  morning  of  the 
Ifitli  both  corps  moved  toward  Columbia,  the  Fourteenth  by  way  of  the 
Ijexington  road,  and  the  Twentieth  on  a road  to  the  right  of  the  one  taken 
by  the  Fourteenth  Corps.  When  the  heads  of  the  two  columns  rvere  within 
three  miles  of  Columbia,  I received  orders  from  General  Sherman  to  cross 
the  Saluda  River  at  Mount  Zion  Church,  and  push  on  to  Winnsborough, 
crossing  the  Broad  River  at  the  same  point  below  Alston.  I at  once 
ordered  the  Twentieth  Corps  into  camp  and  moved  the  Fourteenth  to 
Mount  Zion  Church,  where  a bridge  was  constructed  and  one  division  of 
the  Fourteenth  Corps  crossed  during  the  night.  The  other  two  divisions 
followed  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  and  moved  forward  to  the  Broad 


1865  REPORT  OF  TEE  CAROTIN  AS’  CAMPAIGN  299 


River  near  the  Wateree  Creek.  The  cavalry  followed  the  Fourteenth  Corps 
and  moved  to  our  left,  the  Twentieth  Corps  crossing  immediately  after  the 
cavalry.  A pontoon  bridge  was  constructed  across  the  Broad  River,  near 
the  mouth  of  Wateree  Crek,  at  a place  known  as  Freshly  :s  Mills.  My  en- 
tire command  was  across  the  Broad  River  before  2 p.  m.  on  the  20th  of 
February,  and  on  the  following  morning  both  corps  moved  forward  to 
Winnsborough,  which  we  occupied  without  opposition.  Before  our  columns 
reached  the  town  several  buildings  had  been  burned,  but  by  the  exertions 
of  our  soldiers,  assisted  by  the  citizens,  the  fire  was  prevented  from 
spreading.  The  Charlotte  and  South  Carolina  Railroad  was  destroyed 
from  Winnsborough  to  White  Oak  by  the  Twentieth  Army  Corps,  and 
from  White  Oak  to  Cornwall  by  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps.  On  the  22nd 
Ward’s  division  of  the  Twentieth  Corps  rvas  moved  rapidly  forward  to 
Catawba  River  at  a point  known  as  Rocky  Mount  Ferry.  A pontoon 
bridge  was  at  once  constructed  at  this  point,  and  on  the  23rd  the  Twenti- 
eth Corps  commenced  crossing.  The  river  banks  on  both  sides  were  very 
precipitous.  Unfortunately  soon  after  our  arrival  at  the  river  a heavy 
fall  of  rain  made  the  crossing  still  more  difficult  and  endangered  our 
bridge. 

The  Twentieth  Corps,  together  with  all  the  cavalry  and  one  division 
of  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  succeeded  in  crossing  under  great  difficulties, 
when  our  bridge  was  swept  away  by  floodwood  brought  down  by  the 
freshet.  The  Twentieth  Corps,  from  the  23rd  to  the  26th,  only  succeeded 
in  reaching  Hanging  Rock,  a point  sixteen  miles  distant  from  the  river, 
having  been  compelled  to  corduroy  the  road  nearly  the  whole  distance.  I 
accompanied  this  corps  on  its  march,  and  at  this  point  first  learned  of  the 
destruction  of  our  bridge.  The  Twentieth  Corps  was  ordered  to  remain 
in  camp  at  Hanging  Rock  on  the  27th,  and  I returned  to  the  Catawba  to 
expedite,  if  possible,  the  crossing  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps.  On  my  arrival 
here  I found  that  General  Davis  and  his  officers  were  fully  impressed  with 
the  importance  of  effecting  a crossing  with  the  least  possible  delay,  and 
were  laboring  incessantly  to  accomplish  the  work.  On  mv  arrival  it  was 
impossible  to  communicate  with  the  troops  on  the  opposite  bank.  A pon- 
toon boat,  manned  by  the  best  oarsmen  of  the  train,  in  attempting  to  cross 
was  swept  far  below  the  point  at  which  the  bridge  was  to  be  constructed, 
and  the  men  narrowly  escaped  drowning.  Fortunately  the  water  com- 
menced falling,  and  during  the  night  of  the  27th  the  bridge  was  again  in 
position  and  the  troops  and  trains  at  once  moved  across.  General  Davis 
was  ordered  to  move  direct  to  Sneedsboroug’n  by  way  of  McManus  Bridge 
and  Mount  Croghan,  and  if  possible  to  reach  that  point  simultaneously 
with  the  Twentieth  Corps,  which  had  been  ordered  to  move  to  the  same 
point  by  way  of  Chesterfield. 

Every  possible  effort  was  made  to  accomplish  this  result.  General 
Davis  marched  his  command  from  daylight  until  late  at  night  each  day, 
and  reached  the  point  designated  on  the  4th  of  March.  The  Twentieth 
Corps  crossed  Big  Lynch ’s  Creek  at  Miller ’s  Bridge  and  advanced  to- 


300 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


ward  Chesterfield.  On  approaching  the  town  a few  of  the  enemy’s  cav- 
alry were  met  and  driven  rapidly  through  the  town  and  over  Thompson’s 
Creek.  On  the  4th  of  March  the  corps  reached  a point  near  Sneeds- 
borough.  A bridge  was  constructed  over  the  Great  Pedee  at  a point 
three  miles  below  Sneedsborough,  and  the  Fourteenth  Corps  crossed  at 
that  point.  In  order  to  gain  time  the  Twentieth  Corps  was  sent  to  Cheraw 
to  cross  at  that  point,  with  instructions  to  move  at  once  to  McFarland’s 
Bridge  over  Lumber  River.  The  Fourteenth  Corps  moved  to  Love’s  or 
Blue’s  Bridge,  a few-  miles  above.  McFarland’s  Bridge  was  destroyed 
two  or  three  days  before  General  Williams  reached  the  river,  but  General 
Davis  found  Blue’s  Bridge  but  slightly  injured,  and  crossed  one  division 
over  it  on  the  evening  of  the  8th  of  March.  On  the  following  day  the 
Fourteenth  Corps  moved  on  on  the  plank  road  to  a point  about  sixteen  miles 
from  Fayetteville.  On  the  10th  this  corps  moved  to  the  Nine-mile  Post 
and  was  massed  near  that  point,  one  brigade  of  Baird’s  division  being 
thrown  well  in  advance  on  the  road  toward  Fayetteville.  On  the  1 1th  at 
1 0.30  A.  M.,  Baird ’s  division  after  some  slight  skirmishing  with  the 
enemy  entered  Fayetteville,  the  other  two  divisions  and  the  entire  Twenti- 
eth Corps  encamping  near  the  town.  General  Baird  was  directed  to  take 
command  of  the  city  and  garrison  it  with  his  command.  He  was  in- 
structed to  destroy  all  public  and  private  property  useful  to  the  enemy, 
but  to  protect  all  other  private  property.  The  duties  imposed  upon  him 
were  all  performed  in  a satisfactory  manner.  He  destroyed  under  these 
orders  2 foundries,  4 factories,  and  considerable  railroad  property. 

On  the  13th  and  14tli  of  March  both  corps  crossed  the  Cape  Fear 
River,  encamping  on  the  road  leading  toward  Averysborough.  On  leaving 
Fayetteville  I was  informed  that  Goidsborough  wyas  our  next  objective 
point,  and  was  instructed  by  the  commanding  general  to  move  with  a 
strong  column,  unencumbered  by  wagons,  on  a road  by  way  of  Averys- 
borough and  Bentonville,  sending  my  "wagons  by  a road  to  the  right  of 
the  one  taken  by  my  light  column.  I accordingly  ordered  two  divisions 
of  each  corps  to  move,  with  only  such  wagons  as  were  absolutely  neces- 
sary, on  the  road  to  Averysborough,  while  the  remaining  divisions  of  each 
corps  with  the  trains  were  sent  on  the  direct  road  to  Cox’s  Bridge.  On 
the  night  of  the  15th  the  four  divisions,  Jackson’s  and  Ward’s  of  the 
Twentieth  Corps  and  Morgan’s  and  Carlin’s  of  the  Fourteenth,  encamped 
near  Taylor’s  Hole  Creek.  Hawley’s  brigade  of  Jackson’s  division,  was 
sent  forward  late  in  the  evening  to  support  the  cavalry.  On  the  16th  the 
enemy  was  discovered  intrenched  about  one  mile  and  a half  from  the  point 
at  which  the  road  to  Bentonville  branches  off  from  the  Smithfield  and 
Raleigh  road.  Hawley’s  brigade  commenced  skirmishing  with  them  at  an 
early  hour.  The  roads  were  almost  impassable,  and  it  wras  nearly  ten 
o’clock  before  other  troops  could  reach  the  field.  As  soon  as  Ward’s  divi- 
sion- came  up  it  was  thrown  to  the  left  of  the  road,  its  right  connecting 
with  Hawley’s  left.  As  the  two  remaining  brigades  of  Jackson’s  division 
came  up  they  relieved  the  cavalry,  which  moved  to  the  right  of  our  line. 


1865  RE  POET  OF  THE  CARO  LINAS’  CAMPAIGN  301 


Selfridge  met  the  enemy  as  he  moved  into  position  and  drove  him  back  into 
his  line  of  works.  As  soon  as  the  troops  were  posted  (the  artillery  oc- 
cupying a position  commanding  a good  view  of  the  enemy’s  line)  I or- 
dered Case ’s  brigade,  which  was  on  the  left  of  our  line,  to  advance  and, 
if  possible,  turn  the  enemy’s  line.  This  be  accomplished  in  a very  hand- 
some manner,  and  as  soon  as  he  was  discovered  to  have  accomplished  his 
purpose,  and  the  enemy  commenced  moving,  our  artillery  did  fine  execu- 
tion. The  enemy  was  speedily  driven  back  about  one  mile  to  a third  line 
of  works,  making  a brief  stand  at  his  second  line.  He  was  closely  pur- 
sued into  the  works  on  this  new  line,  but  so  much  delay  had  been  caused 
by  the  bad  state  of  the  roads  that  I could  not  get  the  troops  into  position 
for  another  attack  until  it  was  too  late  to  make  the  attempt.  During  the 
following  night  the  enemy  retreated,  taking  the  road  through  Averys- 
borough.  y 

In  this  action  we  captured  3 pieces  of  artillery,  1 caisson,  and  sev- 
eral ambulances;  also  175  prisoners.  We  buried  on  the  field  128  of  their 
dead.  The  loss  in  the  two  corps  was  66  killed,  441  wounded,  and  51 
captured  and  missing.  Of  the  cavalry,  17  killed,  58  wounded,  and  3 cap- 
tured and  missing. 

All  of  our  troops  behaved  extremely  well.  The  cavalry  under  Gen- 
eral Kilpatrick  exhibited  great  gallantry  and,  although  the  ground  was 
unfavorable  for  the  movement  of  cavalry,  it  did  excellent  service. 

On  the  17th  of  March  the  Fourteenth  Corps  crossed  Black  River  and 
encamped  near  Mingo  Creek.  The  Twentieth  Corps  encamped  near  Black 
River.  On  the  night  of  the  18th  the  Fourteenth  Corps  encamped  near 
Mill  Creek,  and  the  Twentieth  Corps  about  five  miles  in  rear  of  the  Four- 
teenth. On  the  19th  the  march  was  resumed  at  7 A.  M.,  the  Fourteenth 
Corps  still  in  advance.  Our  advance  was  stubbornly  resisted  from  the 
commencement  of  the  march,  but  one  of  our  cavalry  officers  came  to  me 
while  our  advance  was  skirmishing  with  the  enemy  and  informed  me 
that  he  had  escaped  from  the  enemy  only  two  days  before,  and  that  when 
he  left  Smithfield  he  knew  the  main  army  under  General  Johnston  to 
be  at  or  near  Raleigh.  This  statement  was  confirmed  by  deserters.  I be- 
lieved the  only  force  in  my  front  to  consist  of  cavalry  with  a few  pieces 
of  artillery,  and  sent  word  to  this  effect  to  General  Sherman.  Under  this 
impression  I pressed  forward  rapidly.  On  reaching  the  point  at  which 
the  road  from  Smithfield  runs  into  the  Goldsborough  road  on  which  we 
were  marching,  I found  the  enemy  intrenched.  Carlin ’s  division  was  at 
once  deployed,  Buell ’s  brigade  being  sent  some  distance  to  the  left  of  the 
road  for  the  purpose  of  developing  the  enemy’s  line.  Morgan’s  division 
was  thrown  on  the  right  of  Carlin,  with  two  brigades  in  line  and  one  in 
reserve.  Both  Carlin  and  Morgan  were  ordered  to  press  the  enemy  close- 
ly and  force  him  to  develop  his  position  and  strength. 

I soon  became  convinced  that  I had  to  deal  with  something  more 
formidable  than  a division  of  cavalry.  While  still  in  doubt,  however,  as 
to  the  strength  of  the  enemy,  a deserter  was  brought  to  me  who  stated 


302 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


that  he  was  formerly  a Union  soldier,  had  been  taken  prisoner,  and  while 
sick  had  been  induced  to  enlist  in  the  rebel  service.  He  informed  me  that 
General  Johnston  had,  by  forced  marches,  concentrated  his  army  in  my 
front;  that  it  was  understood  among  the  rebel  soldiers  that  this  force 
amounted  to  40,000  men;  that  they  were  told  that  they  were  to  crush  one 
corps  of  Sherman ’s  army.  He  stated  that  General  Johnston  had  ridden 
along  his  line  that  morning  and  been  loudly  cheered  by  his  old  Tennessee 
army.  While  he  was  giving  me  these  interesting  particulars  a member 
of  my  staff  approached  and  recognized  in  this  deserter  an  old  acquaint- 
ance. They  had  entered  the  service  in  1861  as  private  soldiers  in  the  same 
e.onrpany.  The  statements  of  this  man  and  the  developments  made  by 
Morgan  and  Carlin  placed  me  on  my  guard.  I at  once  concluded  to  take 
a defensive  position  and  communicate  with  the  commanding  general. 
Robinson ’s  brigade  of  the  Twentieth  Corps  had  already  reached  the  field 
and  been  ordered  to  support  a battery  in  rear  of  Buell’s  position.  I had 
given  orders  to  General  Williams  to  move  with  the  balance  of  his  corps 
to  the  right  of  Morgan  with  a view  of  turning  the  left  of  the  enemy’s 
position.  This  order  was  at  once  countermanded,  and  Williams  was 
directed  to  send  all  of  his  wagons  to  the  right  on  the  road  taken  by  the 
Fifteenth  Corps,  and  bring  forward  with  the  least  possible  delay  every 
regiment  of  his  command.  All  foragers  were  dismounted  and  placed  in 
the  ranks.  Williams  was  ordered  to  take  position  on  Morgan ’s  left  resting 
his  left  flank  on  a ravine.  Not  more  than  one-half  of  his  command  was 
in  position,  however,  when  the  enemy  left  his  works  in  strong  columns 
and  attacked  Buell,  driving  both  him  and  a portion  of  Robinson’s  brigade 
back,  and  capturing  three  pieces  of  artillery.  Before  he  had  reached  the 
line  I had  designated,  however,  General  Williams  had  succeeded  in  getting 
a sufficient  force  in  position  to  check  his  advance.  In  the  meantime  Davis 
had  ordered  Morgan  to  refuse  the  left  of  his  line,  and  had  thrown  the  re- 
serve brigade  on  Morgan’s  division  into  line  of  battle  on  the  left  of  the 
two  brigades  of  Morgan ’s  division  already  in  line.  The  connection  be- 
tween Morgan’s  left  and  the  right  of  Williams’  line  not  being  complete 
I ordered  Coggswell’s  brigade  of  the  Third  Division,  Twentieth  Corps,  which 
was  in  reserve,  to  report  to  General  Davis  to  enable  him  to  complete  the 
connection  between  the  two  corps.  This  brigade  was  at  once  moved  for- 
ward and  filled  the  gap,  giving  us  a continuous  line.  The  enemy  was  re- 
pulsed at  all  points  along  our  line,  but  continued  his  assaults  until  a late 
hour  in  the  evening. 

The  fighting  was  most  severe  in  Morgan’s  front,  and  too  much  credit 
cannot  be  awarded  General  Morgan  and  his  command  for  their  conduct 
upon  this  occasion.  Our  artillery  was  well  posted  and  did  excellent  execu- 
tion on  the  assaulting  columns  of  the  enemy.  Buell’s  brigade  and  the 
three  regiments  of  Robinson ’s,  which  were  first  driven  back,  were  readily 
reformed  and  placed  in  line,  where  they  did  good  service.  Soon  after 
dark  the  enemy  retired  to  his  works,  leaving  in  our  hands  a large  number 
of  killed  and  wounded.  General  Kilpatrick  reported  to  me  while  T was 


1865  REPORT  OF  THE  CAROTIN  AS’  CAMPAIGN 


303 


placing  my  troops  in  position,  and  was  directed  to  mass  his  cavalry  on 
my  left  and  rear,  which  was  done  at  once,  and  the  cavalry  occupied  this 
position  until  the  retreat  of  the  enemy.  On  the  following  morning  Gen- 
erals Baird  and  Geary,  each  with  two  brigades  of  their  respective  divi- 
sions, and  General  Hazen  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps  with  his  entire  division, 
arrived  on  the  field.  Hazen  was  moved  to  the  right  of  Morgan.  Baird 
was  moved  out  in  front  of  our  works  beyond  the  advance  position  held 
by  us  on  the  preceding  day.  Orders  were  given  to  Hazen,  Morgan  and 
Baird  to  press  the  enemy  closely,  which  was  done,  Morgan  gaining  pos- 
session of  a portion  of  his  line  on  our  right.  On  the  morning  of  the  21st 
the  Bight  Wing  came  up  and  connected  with  Hazen.  The  enemy  during 
this  day  was  forced  into  his  works  along  the  entire  line  and  closely 
pressed,  particularly  of  his  extreme  left.  During  the  following  night  he 
retreated  across  Mill  Creek,  burning  the  bridges  in  his  rear. 

The  conduct  of  our  troops  on  this  occasion  was  most  gratifying  to  me. 
General  Davis  and  General  Williams  handled  their  commands  with  great 
skill.  After  our  line  was  formed  the  troops  without  exception  met  the 
enemy  with  coolness  and  bravery.  No  ground  was  lost  after  the  first  at- 
tack, and  all  that  had  been  lost  in  this  attack  was  speedily  regained. 

On  the  22nd,  both  corps  moved  to  Cox's  Brigade,  and  on  the  follow- 
ing morning  crossed  the  Neuse  at  that  point  and  moved  into  Goldsborough. 

My  loss  during  the  entire  campaign  was  as  follows:  Killed,  242; 
wounded,  1,308;  missing,  802;  total,  2,352. 

For  detailed  statements  as  to  our  losses  I respectfully  refer  to  the 
reports  of  Brevet  Major-General  Davis  commanding  the  Fourteenth  Corps, 
and  Brevet  Major-General  A.  S.  Williams  commanding  Twentieth  Corps. 
These  reports  also  contain  interesting  statistics  as  to  the  amount  of  supplies 
drawn  from  the  country  and  the  amount  of  property  useful  to  the  enemy 
destroyed  by  their  respective  commands. 

During  this  campaign  (of  the  Carolinas)  my  command  has  marched 
about  500  miles,  subsisting  mainly  upon  the  country  and  traversing  a 
region  which  the  enemy  regarded  inaccessible  to  us  on  account  of  the 
natural  obstacles  presented  to  the  march  of  a large  army.  These  obstacles 
were  but  little  overrated  by  them,  but  by  the  indomitable  perseverance 
and  energy  of  our  troops  all  were  overcome. 

I have  not  attempted  in  this  report  to  enter  into  such  details  as  to 
the  labors  and  privations  endured  by  the  troops  as  justice  to  them  really 
demands,  but  the  brief  period  allowed  me  for  this  work  must  be  my 
excuse.  ' 

1 have  witnessed  on  the  campaign,  scenes  which  have  given  me  a more 
exalted  opinion  than  I ever  before  entertained  of  the  earnest  patriotism 
which  actuates  the  soldiers  of  this  army.  I have  repeatedly  seen  soldiers 
of  my  command,  who  were  making  parched  corn  supply  the  place  of  bread, 
and  who  were  nearly  destitute  of  shoes  or  change  of  clothing,  go  cheer- 
fully to  their  labor  in  the  swamps  of  South  Carolina,  working  hour  after 
hour  in  the  mud  and  water  to  bring  forward  our  immense  trains,  and 


304 


MAJOR-GEXERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


yet  during  all  these  privations  and  hardships  I have  never  heard  from  an 
officer  or  soldier  one  word  of  complaint. 

To  the  members  of  my  staff — Maj.  Kobert  P.  Dec-hert,  acting  assistant 
adjutant-general;  Maj.  E.  W.  Guindon,  Capt.  William  W.  Moseley,  and 
Capt.  William  G.  Tracy,  aides-de-camp;  Capt.  P.  M.  Thorne,  acting  chief 
of  ordnance,  and  Lieutenants  H.  W.  Ilowgate,  and  Joseph  Benson  For- 
aker  of  the  signal  corps — I am  greatly  indebted.  All  have  discharged 
their  duties  10  my  entire  satisfaction. 

I am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

II.  W.  Slocum, 
Major-General,  Commanding. 

Maj.  L.  M.  Dayton, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General,  Mil.  Div.  of  the  Mississippi.104 

During  the  Campaign  of  the  Carolinas  the  Union  forces, 
under  Generals  Slocum  and  Howard,  captured  about  4,500  Con- 
federate prisoners  in  addition  to  those  paroled  at  the  time  of 
the  capture,  not  counting  the  wounded,  the  refugees,  and  the 
deserters  from  the  enemy  in  this  list.  The  enemy  reported  about 
2,000  Union  prisoners  captured  by  them  during  this  Campaign, 
without  mentioning  the  details  given  above.  Many  of  these 
Union  prisoners  were  recovered  from  their  captors  during  the 
march. 

Remarkably  full  record  was  kept  of  the  supplies  gathered 
along  the  route  of  march  by  the  different  thoroughly  organized 
foraging  parties.  These  parties  were  under  thorough  discipline, 
excepting  possibly  a few  occasional  temporary  stragglers.  All 
had  definite  orders  from  General  Slocum  to  demean  themselves 
as  true  soldiers,  and  to  be  gentlemanly  in  their  dealings  with 
people  and  property — but  the  army  must  be  fed  and,  probably, 
most  of  the  foragers  felt  like  the  one  who  was  chasing  chickens 
in  front  of  a house  and  was  interrupted  by  the  loud  talk  and 
threats  of  the  women.  He  replied:  “Can’t  help  it,  ladies;  the 
rebellion  must  be  stopped  if  it  takes  every  chicken  in  Georgia.” 


1865 


REPLENISHMENTS.  GLAD  TIDINGS 


305 


CHAPTER  XL VIII 

The  Confederate  Armies  Surrendered.  The  War  Ended 

Many  of  General  Slocum’s  officers,  from  the  highest  includ- 
ing the  lowest,  now  received  higher  rank  commissions  upon  his 
recommendations.  Those  heretofore  with  brevet  were  advanced 
to  full  grade  at  least.  Abstract  of  the  organization  of  the  United 
States  forces  in  Slocum’s  Army  of  Georgia  March  31,  showed 
there  had  been  several  changes,  including  accessions,  during  the 
few  days  they  had  been  in  camp  at  Goldsborough.  The  sum- 
ming was  as  follows : Pontoniers,  Downey  commanding,  25  of- 
ficers and  131  enlisted  men  present  for  duty ; XIVth  Army 
Corps,  Major-General  Jefferson  C.  Davis  commanding,  519  of- 
ficers and  12,792  men;  XXth  Army  Corps,  Major-General  Al- 
pheus  S.  Williams,  commanding,  662  officers  and  12,182  men. 
Total  number  present  ready  for  duty,  1,210  officers,  and  25,405 
enlisted  men.  Present,  wounded  and  sick  unfit  for  duty,  4,886. 
Slocum’s  artillery  at  this  time  numbered  thirty  cannon.  His 
command  April  30tli  numbered  about  thirty  thousand  ready  for 
duty. 

On  the  2nd  of  April  General  Slocum  in  accordance  with 
the  new  reports  announced  to  his  command  the  following  reap- 
pointments and  additions  to  his  staff : Major  J.  A.  Reynolds,  1st 
New  York  Artillery,  chief  of  artillery;  Captain  H.  M.  Whittel- 
sey,  U.  S.  Volunteers,  acting  chief  quartermaster;  Surgeon  H.  E. 
Goodman,  U.  S.  Volunteers,  medical  director;  Captain  Platt  M. 
Thorne,  150th  New  York  Volunteers,  acting  assistant  inspector 
general. 

While  at  Goldsborough  report  was  received,  April  6th,  of 
the  enemy’s  evacuation  of  Richmond  and  Petersburg  on  the  3rd, 
and  great  joy  was  exhibited  throughout  the  army.  Particulars 
of  the  Confederate  General-  R.  E.  Lee’s  disastrous  retreat,  and 
of  his  probably  early  surrender  to  General  Grant,  were  received 
the  8th,  and  the  army  gave  regular  artillery  salutes,  and  the 
soldiers  extemporized  all  sorts  of  demonstrations  of  their  joy- 
fulness. 

On  the  9th  of  April  General  Slocum  announced  Captain 
R.  M.  McDowell,  141st  New  York  Volunteers,  member  of  his 

staff  as  chief  topographical'  engineer. 

20 


306 


MAJOR-GENERA L SLOG UM 


1865 


Now,  that  Grant’s  work  with  Lee  was  finished,  only  Joseph 
E.  Johnston  and  his  command  remained  in  this  latitude  of  the 
East  for  Sherman  to  capture.  Monday,  April  10th,  the  forward 
march  was  resumed,  General  Slocum  taking  the  direct  road  to 
Smithfield  near  which  place  the  enemy  was  supposed  to  be. 
Slocum  moved  in  two  columns,  with  Howard  on  the  road  to  Pike- 
ville  at  the  north,  and  Schofield’s  Army  of  the  Ohio  on  roads 
to  Slocum’s  left  marching  in  echelon  near  Kilpatrick  and  his 
cavalry.  Slocum’s  men  advanced  despite  a continual  skirmish- 
ing with  the  enemy  who  had  destroyed  the  bridge  and  road  at 
Moccasin  Swamp,  erected  barricades,  and  posted  cannon  to  op- 
pose Slocum’s  crossing;  but  the  opposition  was  soon  scattered. 
Here  Slocum’s  loss  was  two  killed  (one  Captain)  and  five 
wounded.  Advance  was  made  without  further  opposition  there- 
abouts, and  the  pontooniers  laid  two  bridges  across  the  Neuse 
River.  Slocum’s  XIVth  Corps  was  the  first  to  enter  Smith- 
field,  an  old  town.  Not  finding  any  considerable  part  of  the 
enemy  at  Smithfield,  and  learning  that  Johnston  was  at  Raleigh 
with  his  army,  on  the  12th  the  march  was  continued  toward  that 
city. 

This  day  it  was  learned  that  Lee  had  surrendered  to  Grant. 
The  report  was  hastily  copied,  and  it  was  read  to  the  troops  as 
a Special  Field  Order,  including  Sherman ’s  expression : ‘ ‘ Glory 
to  God  and  to  our  Country,  and  all  honor  to  our  comrades  in 
arms  toward  whom  we  are  marching.  A little  more  labor,  and 
a little  more  toil  on  our  part,  and  the  great  race  is  won,  and  our 
Government  stands  regenerated  after  four  long  years  of  bloody 
war.”  The  reading  of  this  paper  to  the  troops  standing  on  the 
roads,  aroused  anew  their  spirits,  and  revived  fresh  thoughts 
of  home  and  of  the  loved  ones  there. 

Sherman  was  with  Slocum  on  this  march  and,  late  in  the 
afternoon,  a car  came  down  the  railway  under  a flag  of  truce, 
with  a letter  from  Governor  Zebulon  B.  Vance  expressing  his 
desire  to  end  the  war  at  once  so  far  as  North  Carolina  was  con- 
cerned. The  car  also  bore  several  former  leaders  in  the  seces- 
sion movement;  but  they  brought  no  authority  from  the  Con- 
federate Government  for  a treaty;  and  Sherman  so  replied  to 
Vance  in  a letter  which  expressed  his  own  desire  for  peace  and 


1865  FIRST  TO  ENTER  RALEIGH,  N.  CAROLINA  307 


his  willingness  to  contribute  what  he  could  to  such  result.  Minor 
Confederate  officers  were  opposing  Vance  in  his  efforts  for  peace, 
and  they  defeated  the  personal  meeting  of  Sherman  and  Vance 
at  this  time. 

The  march  was  continued  toward  Raleigh,  which  city  Slo- 
cum’s Army  of  Georgia  was  the  first  to  enter  April  13th  without 
any  opposition  just  in  time  to  prevent  the  Confederate  Wheeler’s 
cavalry  from  outraging  and  pillaging  the  citizens,  as  they  had 
here  commenced  to  do,  and  had  been  doing  in  other  places  during 
the  great  march.115  General  Wade  Hampton’s  cavalry  had  also 
been  continually  appearing  in  front,  and  much  of  the  time  with- 
in skirmishing  distance.  The  American  flag  was  soon  raised 
above  the  capitol  building,  and  was  welcomed  by  many  citizens. 

Major-General  Carl  Schurz,  formerly  commander  of  a divi- 
sion in  the  Xlth  Army  Corps  under  General  Howard,  had  re- 
ported from  the  War  Department  to  General  Sherman  by  whom 
lie  was  well  received,  and  who  referred  him  to  General  Slocum 
while  at  Goldsborough.  There  was  no  vacancy  for  Schurz  in  the 
Army  of  Georgia,  but  Slocum  received  Schurz  cordially  and, 
after  learning  from  him  his  strong  desire  to  be  with  his  army 
at  the  end  of  the  war,  Slocum  offered  him  the  position  of  Ills 
chief  of  staff  which  office  was  thankfully  accepted.  In  a Special 
Field  Order  Slocum  announced  to  his  army  that  Captain  Mont- 
gomery Rochester,  U.  S.  Volunteers,  should  be  recognized  as  his 
assistant  adjutant  general,  and  ‘during  the  ensuing  campaign 
Major-General  Schurz,  U.  S.  Volunteers,  will  act  as  chief  of 
staff.’105  108 

General  Sherman  established  his  headquarters  at  Raleigh 
in  Governor  Vance’s  mansion  according  to  the  request  of  the 
Governor,  who  then  left  the  city.  -Johnston  was,  apparently,  yet 
defiant  and,  April  14th,  Sherman  issued  a special  field  order  for 
advancing  against  him  and  his  yet  belligerant  subordinate  offi- 
cers. General  Slocum’s  army  was  to  move  rapidly  by  the  Aven’s 
Ferry  Road,  through  Carthage,  Caledonia,  and  Cox’s  Mills.  Im- 
mediately after  this  order  was  published,  it  was  countermanded 
on  account  of  Sherman’s  “receipt  of  dispatches  from  General 
Johnston,  C.  S.  Army,  which  are  tending  to  the  end  of  making 
unnecessary  our  contemplated  long  march.”  Sherman  and  John- 


308 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


stem  met,  and  the  latter  was  offered  the  same  terms  for  ending' 
the  war  that  Lee  accepted ; but  he  desired  time  to  consider  them. 

It  was  Sherman’s  intention  to  review  all  of  his  commands 
before  entering  upon  another  campaign,  to  assure  himself  of 
their  proper  condition  for  active  work;  but  he  highly  compli- 
mented Slocum’s  careful  attention  to  business,  including  disci- 
pline, by  addressing  him  a note  asking  to  be  excused  from  mak- 
ing such  review  of  his  men. 

Slocum’s  XXth  Corps  remained  near  Raleigh  until  the  25th 
of  April  when  it  was  moved  to  Jones’s  Cross  Roads.  He  moved 
his  XIVth  Corps  toward  the  Cape  Pear  River  April  14th.  Gen- 
eral Davis  was  directed  to  collect  forage  for  his  men  and  ani- 
mals along  the  north  bank  of  that  river,  and  that  the  foragers 
should  treat  all  the  people  with  civility.  Part  of  this  corps 
crossed  the  river  at  Aven’s  Perry  the  next  day,  and  the  16th 
other  parts  of  the  corps  including  the  wagon  trains  were  di- 
rected to  cross  over  their  pontoon  bridge  and  encamp  there.  The 
19th  Slocum  directed  that  this  corps  be  moved  to  any  point  of 
good  forage  between  this  river  and  three  miles  distant  from 
Raleigh,  leaving  guard  for  the  bridges. 

At  his  headquarters  in  Raleigh  April  17th,  General  Sherman 
issued  a special  field  order  announcing  the  assassination  of 
President  Lincoln  in  the  evening  of  the  14th.  This  dispatch 
Sherman  carried  to  Johnston  the  next  day  for  their  appointed 
meeting.  The  next  day  Sherman  visited  Johnston  again,  and 
they  then  signed  a treaty  for  the  surrender  of  Johnston  and  all 
of  the  Confederate  soldiers  subject  to  his  command,  such  treaty 
to  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  General  Grant,  the  War  De- 
partment at  Washington,  and  of  the  President,  Andrew  John- 
son. Meanwhile  hostilities  were  to  cease  until  April  26th. 

Sherman  and  Slocum  were  much  together  whenever  con- 
venient to  both  and,  upon  the  return  of  the  former  the  night  of 
the  18th,  the  latter  called  at  his  headquarters  where  he  was 
shown  a copy  of  the  conditional  treaty.  Sherman  was  not  often 
inclined  to  ask  the  opinion  of  any  one,  much  less  advice  but,  to 
the  contrary  he  was  generally  positively  assertive.  At  the  time 
of  this  call  he  was  fatigued  in  both  body  and  mind,  and  not  so 
talkative.  Slocum  now  did  most  of  the  talking,  and  expressed 
his  doubts  of  the  agreement  being  approved.  In  fact  his  legal 


1865  SHERMAN’S  PEACE  EFFORTS  MISCARRY  309 


mind  saw  objections  to  its  approval  on  account  of  Sherman  hav- 
ing permitted  civil  questions  to  be  embodied  with  the  military. 
Returning  to  his  headquarters  at  midnight  he  found  General 
Schurz  up  and  waiting  anxiously  to  learn  the  result  of  the  op- 
posing commanders’  last  interview.  When  told  the  conditions 
of  surrender  his  opinion  coincided  with  Slocum’s,  and  he  also 
predicted  what  would  follow.108 

The  19th  of  April  General  Sherman  issued  a special  field 
order  announcing  cessation  of  hositilities  and,  until  further 
orders,  the  line  between  Tyrrell’s  Mount,  Chapel  ITill,  Univer- 
sity, Durham  Station,  and  West  Point  by  the  Neuse  River,  would 
separate  the  Confederate  from  the  Union  armies. 

The  20tli  of  April  General  Sherman  received  from  Lieuten- 
ant-General Grant  notice  of  the  disapproval  of  his  terms  of 
agreement  with  General  Johnston,  by  himself,  by  the  War  De- 
partment, and  by  President  Andrew  Johnson.  The  evening  of 
this  day  there  was  a notable  meeting  of  ‘a  dozen  or  so’  of  the 
leading  generals  at  Sherman’s  headquarters.  The  room  was 
large  and  bare,  the  officers  standing  rather  together,  giving  their 
chief  room  to  continue  his  pacing  back  and  forth  and,  without 
addressing  anybody  in  particular,  he  unbosomed  himself  with 
an  eloquence  of  furious  invective  which  made  us  all  stare. 

. A day  or  two  later  General  Slocum  entered  my  tent 
with  a happy  face,  saying  ‘all  is  well.  Grant  is  here.  He  has 
come  to  save  his  friend  Sherman  from  himself.’106  Readers  de- 
siring to  learn  more  regarding  this  treaty,  should  consult  refer- 
ence 96  in  the  Appendix. 

General  Sherman  sent  invitation  to  General  Slocum  to  at- 
tend his  review  of  General  Howard’s  XYIIth  Army  Corps  near 
the  Market  House  in  Raleigh  April  23rcl.  This  was  a compli- 
ment well  received  as  the  time  had  been  passed  in  rather  mo- 
notonous camp  duties  for  some  days.  The  next  day  it  was  neces- 
sary to  place  Slocum’s  XIVth  Corps  on  half  rations  from  the 
scarce  supplies  from  foraging  and  by  railway.  This  order  was 
followed  after  a few  hours,  however,  by  an  order  for  this  corps 
to  advance  to  Aven’s  Perry,  and  to  begin  crossing  the  river  at 
noon,  the  26th.  Slocum  also  ordered  his  XXth  Army  Corps  to 
move  the  25th  in  specified  order  to  Jones’s  Cross  Roads.  These 
orders  immediately  followed-  General  Sherman’s  announcement 


310 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


that  the  truce  with  the  Confederates  was  at  an  end,  and  hostil- 
ities would  be  immediately  renewed,  General  Johnston  having 
been  so  notified. 

In  a letter  to  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War,  under  date  of  April 
25th,  General  Sherman  admitted  his  ‘folly’  in  attempting  to  em- 
brace civil  questions  with  the  military  in  the  terms  of  peace. 
General  Johnston  again  wrote  to  Sherman  who  again  visited  him 
hoping  to  receive  his  surrender  on  the  Grant-Lee  terms;  and 
Slocum  again  stopped  his  army.  Sherman  met  Johnston  again 
the  26th  at  Greensbo rough,  leaving  Grant  at  Raleigh  where  he 
had  remained  in  council  with  Sherman,  who  had  written  from 
Raleigh  April  25th  to  different  commanders  that  he  expected 
Johnston  to  surrender  his  army  the  next  day;  that  they  had 
‘much  negotiation,  and  things  are  settling  down  to  the  terms 
of  General  Lee’s  army.’  General  Grant  telegraphed  to  the  War 
Department  from  Raleigh  April  26th,  that  Sherman  and  John- 
ston had  another  interview  this  day,  and  Johnston  had  surren- 
dered on  the  same  terms  Lee  accepted.  Other  Confederate  com- 
mands made  haste  to  lay  down  their  arms,  and  to  give  all  re- 
quired evidence  of  their  desire  to  quit  the  Rebellion. 

General  Sherman’s  special  field  order  announcing  to  his 
armies  the  happy  event  ending  the  war  east  of  the  Chattahoochee 
River,  was  issued  from  Raleigh  April  27th.  Readjustments  of 
commands  in  the  Carolinas,  and  further  south,  were  mentioned. 
Also  permission  was  given  to  local  commanders  for  loaning  to 
the  inhabitants,  farmers,  such  of  the  captured  horses,  mules,  and 
wagons,  as  could  be  spared  from  immediate  use ; that  the  com- 
manding generals  of  armies  might  issue  provisions  and  any  other 
surplus  needful  supplies  to  farmers. 

Another  special  field  order  the  27th  provided  for  the  immedi- 
ate disposition  of  the  armies  in  the  field.  The  armies  of  Generals 
Slocum  and  Howard  were  to  march  to  Richmond,  Virginia,  in 
their  former  respective  order ; Slocum  to  pass  through  Oxford, 
Boydton,  and  Nottawav  Court  House,  and  Howard  to  move  to 
the  right.  Before  starting  on  this  march,  which  might  be  styled 
the  great  triumphal  march,  as  they  could  have)  been  transported 
by  water  to  Washington,  they  turned  over  to  the  proper  authori- 
ties the  contents  of  their  ordnance  wagons,  which  wagons  were 
then  used  by  them  for  food  and  forage.  The  chiefs  quartermas 


1865  TRIUMPHAL  MARCH  THROUGH  VIRGINIA  311 


ter  and  commissary,  Generals  Easton  and  Beckwith,  were  di- 
rected to  prepare  for  their  rapid  travel  to  Richmond,  and  there 
have  preparations  made  for  tliei'r  proper  reception,  and  to  pro- 
vide for  their  further  journey.  This  same  day  General  Slocum 
relieved  General  Schurz  from  further  duty  on  his  staff,  and 
directed  him  to  report  to  General  Sherman  who  turned  him  over 
to  General  Grant. 

General  Slocum  brought  his  army  together  at  Raleigh  and 
there  the  changes  were  made  in  their  wagons  and  trains.  The 
infantry  retained  twenty-five  rounds  of  ammunition  per  man, 
and  the  artillery  only  one  chest  for  each  gun.  Slocum’s  order 
was  for  at  least  fifteen  days  of  subsistence  stores  for  men,  and 
from  ten  to  fifteen  days  for  the  horses  and  mules. 

Sherman  sent  invitation  to  Slocum  to  visit  him  at  his  head- 
quarters in  Ralejgh  the  evening  of  April  28th,  for  conference 
with  Howard,  Schofield,  Logan,  and  Blair. 

CHAPTER  XLIX 

The  Triumphal  March  to  Washington.  Farewell 

General  Slocum  started  the  march  in  a northerly  direction 
for  Richmond  at  7 o’clock  a.  m.  April  30th,  with  his  XXtli  Army 
Corps  in  the  following  order : General  Geary ’s  Ilnd  Division 
leading ; next  the  artillery,  and  then  the  Illrd  and  1st  Divisions, 
respectively.  The  Neuse  River  was  crossed  at  Manter’s  Mills, 
then  following  the  road  west  of  and  nearest  to  the  Raleigh  and 
Gaston  Railroad,  passing  through  the  towns  of  Lemay’s  and 
Williamsburg  Postoffices,  and  crossing  the  Dan  River  near 
Haskinton. 

His  XIVth  Army  Corps  marched  on  the  roads  to  the  left 
of  the  XXtli  Corps,  and  passed  through  Kilvin  Grove,  Wilton, 
and  Oxford  to  Boydton. 

The  pontoon  trains  were  divided  equally  between  the  two 
corps.  This  march  was  ordered  conducted  so  as  to  fatigue  the 
troops  as  little  as  practicable.  The  three  divisions  of  each  corps 
were  permitted  to  encamp  nights  from  three  to  five  miles  apart 
as  might  be  convenient,  each  to  march  about  fifteen  miles  per 
day.  Foraging  was  not  permitted.  Soldiers  were  forbidden  to 
enter  a dwelling  house  on  any  pretext.  A system  of  roll  call  was 


312 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


established.  Any  soldier  straggling,  or  found  guilty  of  com- 
mitting robbery,  or  any  other  outrage  on  citizens  along  the  route 
of  march,  was  promised  summary  punishment.  Stress  was  laid 
upon  the  fact  that,  while  hostilities  had  ceased  strict  military 
discipline  would  continue  in  force,  and  that  every  effort  of  every- 
one should  be  made  to  prevent  inclination  to  lawlessness,  dis- 
honesty, and  every  act  likely  to  bring  disgrace  or  even  a shadow 
of  reflection  upon  commands  which  had  such  uniformly  good 
record  in  the  service  of  their  country,  and  for  their  country’s 
honor.  For  all  purchases  by  the  way  immediate  payment  was 
ordered,  and  the  march  was  enjoined  to  proceed  as  strictly  as  it 
would  in  any  loyal  State  in  the  Union.  The  location  of  the  head- 
quarters of  General  Slocum  and  of  each  of  his  corps  commanders 
was  not  definitely  announced  for  the  night  encampments  to  any 
one  but  the  provost  guards. 

General  Slocum’s  XIVth  Corps  also  started  from  Raleigh 
for  Richmond  April  30th  in  the  following  order : General 
Baird’s  Illrd  Division  to  lead  on  the  most  direct  road  to  Oxford 
with  the  pontoon  train  in  advance  of  the  other  trains,  to  con- 
struct bridge  over  the  Neuse  River ; then  the  artillery ; then  Gen- 
eral Charles  C.  Walcutt’s  1st  Division  and,  the  next  morning, 
General  Morgan’s  Ilnd  Division.  Day  by  day  changes,  and 
shiftings  of  divisions  and  brigades  were  necessary  to  meet  the 
changing  conditions,  all  of  which  had  become  thoroughly  well 
known  to  these  conquering  veteran  volunteer  soldiers,  and  their 
ever  alert  officers,  from  Slocum  the  commanding  general  down 
through  all  of  the  numerous  subordinates  necessary  for  a large 
army. 

The  Dan,  or  Roanoke,  River  at  Taylor’s  Ferry  was  found 
by  the  XIVth  Corps  to  be  at  least  750  feet  in  width  with  an 
average  depth  of  ten  feet.  It  was  necessary  to  extend  the  pon- 
toon train  by  trestle-work  May  2nd,  which  extension  was  com- 
pleted near  midday  the  3rd.  On  account  of  this  favorable  cross- 
ing the  XXtli  Corps  was  deflected  from  its  intended  crossing  at 
Haskin’s  Ferry  to  Taylor’s  Ferry  where  two  divisions  were  able 
to  cross  in  the  night  of  May  3rd  on  their  mm  pontoon  bridge  and 
the  XIVth  Corps’  trestle  this  corps  having  removed  its  pontoon 
and  continued  the  march  with  it.  The  advance  columns  took 
up  the  march  at  daybreak  and  the  others  followed  systematically 


1865  TRIUMPHAL  MARCH  THROUGH  VIRGINIA  313 


according  to  orders  issued  the  evening  before.  Ambulances  were 
distributed  throughout  each  corps  of  the  army  so  that  the  sick, 
and  weaker,  soldiers  could  ride ; and  so  every  detail  of  full  disci- 
pline and  provision  for  comfort  prevailed. 

The  commander  of  the  Military  Department  of  North  Caro- 
lina, Major-General  John  M.  Schofield,  and  Major-General  Hal- 
leck  at  Washington,  yet  Chief  of  Lieutenant-General  U.  S. 
Grant’s  staff,  w-ere  kept  informed  day  by  day,  and  night  by 
night,  of  the  whereabouts  and  condition  of  Slocum’s  and  How- 
ard’s armies,  so  that  no  vigilance  for  continued  peace,  or  war, 
was  permitted  to  relax. 

The  5th  of  May  General  Slocum’s  cipher  telegraph  oper- 
ator, D.  F.  Berry,  dispatched  to  Major  T.  T.  Eckert  at  Washing- 
ton, the  position  of  the  Army  of  Georgia  as  at  and  near  Blacks 
and  Whites  Station  on  line  of  South  Side  and  Petersburg  Rail- 
road that  night ; and  that  it  would  be  in  or  near  Richmond  the 
next  night.  General  Slocum  also  kept  in  communication  with 
the  Union  authorities  in  Richmond.  Close  surveillance  was  kept 
of  supposed  designing  malcontents  everywhere,  and  orders  for 
arrests  were  frequently  received  and  fulfilled. 

The  5th  of  May  General  Slocum  notified  the  Union  com- 
manding officer  of  Richmond  of  his  near  approach,  and  requested 
that  supplies  be  ready  for  the  continuation  of  his  march  toward 
Washington.  At  the  close  of  this  day  General  Morgan  reported 
that  his  Ilnd  Division  of  the  XIYth  Corps  had  marched  27  miles 
the  4th  on  rough  and  heavy  roads  from  the  rain.  Slocum’s  staff, 
with  his  corps’  staff  officers,  were  now  carefully  observing  the 
country  opposite  Richmond  for  desirable  fields  in  which  to  estab- 
lish encampments  for  their  respective  commands  about  three 
miles  from  Manchester  across  the  James  River  from  Richmond, 
the  evening  of  May  6th  and  7th,  upon  their  arrival.  During 
the  time  of  this  encampment  no  soldier  was  permitted  to  visit 
Manchester  without  a pass  signed  by  his  division  commander, 
or  to  visit  Richmond  without  pass  signed  by  his  corps  commander, 
for  reasons  obvious  to  the  average  reader.  The  evening  of  May 
8th  the  XXth  Corps  encamped  at  Falling  Creek,  near  the  en- 
campment of  the  XTVth  Corps,  after  a march  of  21  miles  that 
day.  They  remained  here  until  the  day  of  their  passing  through 
and  leaving  Richmond.  General  Slocum  secured  comfortable 


314 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


headquarters  in  the  residence  of  a Mr.  Wren  near  the  edge  of 
Manchester  to  the  left  of  Hull  Street. 

It  had  been  contemplated  to  send  the  Army  of  Georgia,  at 
least,  from  Richmond  to  Washington  by  water  transports,  as  at 
first  thought  to  send  them  from  Raleigh ; but  later  counsels  pre- 
vailed for  the  march  from  Richmond  also.  On  account  of  the 
large  trains,  the  difficulties  attending  the  transportation  by 
water,  and  the  sentiment  attending  another  look  over  the  battle- 
fields of  Virginia,  the  decision  for  marching  was  well  received  by 
the  soldiers  and  officers  alike. 

Major-General  H.  W.  Halleck,  Chief  of  Lieutenant-General 
U.  S.  Grant’s  staff,  very  kindly  met  Generals  Slocum  and  How- 
ard’s commands  at  Richmond  and  helped  to  facilitate  the  refilling 
of  their  wagon  trains  for  their  final  march.  Undoubtedly  Hal- 
leck had  in  mind  also  the  pleasure  of  meeting  with  General 
Sherman  and  of  renewing  the  friendship  between  them  that1  had 
been  estranged  by  the  latter's  opinion  that  Halleck  had  been  too 
officious  against  the  first  agreement  regarding  the  surrender  of 
Johnston.  Halleck  was  now  certainly  courteous,  and  desirous  of 
good  will.  May  8th  he  dispatched  to  Sherman,  then  at  Fort  Mon- 
roe, that:  “General  Slocum’s  amr^  will  leave  Richmond  on  the 
morning  of  the  10th,  and  General  Howard’s  will  soon  follow. 
Can’t  you  meet  them  as  they  pass  through?  When  you  arrive 
here  come  directly  to  my  headquarters.  I have  a room,  for  you, 
and  will  have  rooms  elsewhere  for  your  staff.”  Ill  will  yet 
brooded  in  Sherman’s  heart,  and  he  replied:  “After  your  dis- 
patch to  the  Secretary  of  War  of  April  26,  1 cannot  have  any 
friendly  intercourse  with  you.  1 will  come  to  City  Point  to- 
morrow and  march  with  my  troops,  and  I prefer  we  should  not 
meet.”107  There  was  some  delay  in  Sherman’s  arrival,  and  he 
telegraphed  to  Slocum  not  to  start  on  his  march  the  10th.  But 
Sherman  was  with  Slocum  the  10th,  and  there  he  replied  to 
Grant’s  order  from  Washington  for  the  march,  that  Slocum’s 
army  would  march  the  11th,  and  Howard’s  the  next  day.  This 
was  another  thrust  at  Halleck. 

The  orders  for  the  march  of  the  Army  of  Georgia  May  11th 
at  7 a.  m.  were  issued  by  General  Slocum  the  10th.  The  XIVth 
Army  Corps  led  across  the  pontoon  bridge  over  the  James  River, 
and  through  Richmond  without  the  contemplated  review  of  Gen- 


1S65  THROUGH  RICHMOND  AND  BATTLEFIELDS  315 


eral  Halleck,  who  had  in  the  meantime  received  from  Sherman 
a remarkabe  letter  including  the  statement  that  he  would  best 
keep  out  of  sight  as  violence  might  be  done  him.10S 

The  course  of  march  from  Richmond,  as  outlined  by  Gen- 
eral Slocum 's  special  field  orders,  led  through  the  towns  of  Han- 
over Court  House.  Oxford,  and  Chilesburg  to  a point  near  Chest- 
nut Hill;  thence  by  the  most  direct  route  to  Rappahannock  Sta- 
tion by  the  Rappahannock  River;  thence  through  New  Balti- 
more, Hay  Market,  Centerville,  and  Fairfax  Court  House. 
General  Slocum  also  informed  his  army  that  he  would  accom- 
pany the  XIVth  Corps  as  far  as  Hanover  Court  House,  and  the 
XXth  Corps  thence  to  Alexandria.  Many  details  requiring 
thought  and  proper  action  were  again  necessary  to  preserve  sani- 
tary places  for  the  night  camps,  as  much  of  the  country  had  been 
overrun  and  encamped  upon  by  large  bodies  of  troops  during 
the  previous  four  years.  Great  and  continual  effort  was  neces- 
sary to  prevent  one  part  of  the  army  obstructing  the  advance 
of  other  parts  which  were  to  take  the  advance  the  next  morning. 
Many  incidents,  if  not  accidents,  occurred  to  interfere  with  the 
desired  regularity.  One  part  of  a command  must  at  times  be 
hastened  to  make  room  for  unexpected  emergency;  also  to  let 
the  men  of  certain  commands  rest  part  of  the  day  from  having 
been  compelled  to  work  all  the  previous  night  in  bridging  or 
crossing  a river  made  dangerous  by  flood.  In  times  of  peace- 
fulness on  the  march  an  army  is  liable  at  any  moment  to  need 
the  watchful  eye  and  the  ready  action  of  the  commanding  gen- 
eral who  has  surveillance  over  all  parts. 

General  Howard  was  called  to  Washington  in  advance  of  his 
army  for  the  purpose  of  entering  upon  other  work  for  the  War 
Department.  General  Sherman  marched  with  General  Slocum 
to  Hanover  Court  House  where  he  wrote  to  General  -John  A. 
Logan,  successor  to  Howard,  one  of  his  remarkable  letters.  It 
began  with  the  information  that  it  had  been  his  (Sherman’s) 
purpose  to  join  Logan’s  column  here  and  to  travel  with  it  by 
way  of  Fredericksburg  but,  being  anxious  to  see  the  ground 
about  Spottsvlvania  Court  House,  and  Chancellorsville  with  Slo- 
cum, he  would  accompany  Slocum  that  far  and  then  pass  over 
to  Logan’s  command.  After  giving  directions  for  the  conduct 
of  the  march  of  the  Right  Wing,  that  it  might  not  obstruct  Slo- 


316 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


eum’s  roads,  lie  advised  a slow  march  and  a continued  good  con- 
dition of  the  men  by  keeping  them  long  on  the  road,  as  far  better 
than  a long  rest  in  camp  at  the  end  of  the  journey.  Then  Sher- 
man proceeded  in  his  letter  to  again  express  his  animosity  to- 
ward General  Halleck  and  some  other  eastern  men.  He  wrote 
in  part  that:  “The  manner  of  our  welcome  [at  Richmond]  was 
a part  of  a grand  game  to  insult  us— us  who  had  marched  a 
thousand  miles  through  a hostile  country  in  midwinter  to  help 
them.  We  did  help  them,  and  what  has  been  our  reward?  Our 
men  were  denied  admission  to  the  city  where  Halleck  had  in- 
vited all  citizens  (rebels  of  course)  to  come  and  go  without 
passes.  If  the  American  people  sanction  this  kind  of  courtesy  to 
old  and  tried  troops,  where  is  the  honor,  satisfaction,  and  glory 
of  serving  them  in  constancy  and  faith?  If  such  be  the  welcome 
the  East  gives  to  the  West,  we  can  but  let  them  make  war  and 
fight  it  out  themselves.  I know  where  is  a land  and  people  that 
will  not  treat  us  thus — the  West,  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi. 
I for  one  will  go  there.” 

When  he  arrived  at  Fredericksburg,  May  15th,  Sherman  re- 
ported to  Grant  at  Washington,  that  he  had  parted  from  Slocum 
at  noon  that  day  at  Chaneellorsville,  Avho  would  cross  his  XIVth 
Corps  over  the  Rappahannock  River  the  next  day  at  Raccoon 
Ford  and  his  XXth  Corps  the  same  time  at  the  United  States 
Ford.  He  further  reported  that  Logan  had  not  arrived  with 
Howard’s  army  on  account  of  the  roads  having  been  badly 
worked  up  by  Meade’s  Army  of  the  Potomac  which  had  pre- 
ceded him. 

Major-General  Slocum  preceded  his  Army  of  Georgia  to 
Alexandria,  Virginia,  whence  he  reported  to  General  Grant  and 
his  armies  in  Washington,  giving  his  headquarters’  address  as 
two  miles  from  Alexandria  by  the  direct  road  to  Washington. 
He  also  sent  orders  to  General  Davis  of  his  XIVth  Corps  not 
to  approach  nearer  than  Cloud’s  Mills  that  night,  and  to  send 
a staff  officer  to  Cloud’s  Mills  the  next  morning  to  meet  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Guindon  of  General  Slocum’s  staff  for  assignment 
of  camping  sites  in  -which  to  await  the  Grand  Review7  of  the 
different  armies  that  were  assembling  thereabout.  The  XXth 
Corps  was  intercepted  the  19th  on  its  march  from  Fairfax  Sta- 
tion for  like  purpose. 


1865  TRIUMPHAL  ENTRY  INTO  WASHINGTON 


317 


Special  orders  for  the  Review  were  issued  by  General  Grant 
the  18th ; and  the  20th  General  Sherman  issued  his  special  orders 
to  the  officers  of  his  armies  to  be  ready  for  the  Review  the  next 
Wednesday,  May  24tli.  This  necessitated  active  work  for  all 
concerned.  General  Slocum’s  special  orders  Number  72  supple- 
mented those  of  Generals  Sherman  and  Grant  in  details  regard- 
ing his  own  command.  The  Army  of  Georgia  was  to  gather  near 
the  Long  Bridge  across  the  Potomac  River,  opposite  Washing- 
ton, and  march  from  there  at  daybreak  Wednesday,  the  morning 
of  the  review,  the  XXth  Corps  leading,  followed  by  the  XIVth 
Corps,  without  knapsacks  but  with  two  days’  cooked  rations  in 
haversacks.  They  were  to  move  across  the  bridge  and  to  the  vi- 
cinity of  the  Capitol  building,  and  there  to  await  the  signal  gun 
to  begin  the  march  around  this  building,  up  Pennsylvania  Ave- 
nue, passing  the  reviewing  stand  of  President  Johnston  which 
contained  the  members  of  his  cabinet,  Lieutenant-General  Grant 
and  his  staff.  Members  of  the  United  States  Congress,  foreign 
diplomats,  and  other  dignitaries. 

General  Sherman  exhibited  much  just  pride  in  riding  at 
the  head  of  his  armies  and  he  took  post  near  the  chief  reviewing 
officer  on  arriving  at  his  stand.  The  commanders  of  each  army, 
corps,  and  division  each  attended  by  one  staff  officer,  dismounted 
from  their  horses  after  passing  the  general-in-chief,  Grant,  joined 
him  wdiile  his  own  command  was  passing,  then  remounted  and 
rejoined  his  command.  Officers  commanding  regiments  and 
above,  carried  their  swords  in  a present  position  when  passing 
the  reviewing  officer;  company  officers  gave  no  salute.  Brigade 
bands  and  consolidated  field  music  joined  the  parade  and  dis- 
coursed while  each  was  passing  the  stand,  the  drummers  giving 
three  ruffles  while  moving.  The  flags  of  each  battalion  were  given 
the  dropping  salute  to  the  reviewing  officers.  Six  ambulances, 
three  abreast,  were  in  line  with  each  brigade. 

After  passing  the  reviewing  stand,  near  the  Presidential 
Mansion,  each  command  continued  the  march  to  the  place  as- 
signed for  its  encampment,  which  had  previously  been  carefully 
chosen.  General  Sherman  had  rooms  at  Mrs.  Carter’s  home  on 
Capitol  Hill,  with  business  headquarters  in  tent  on  grounds  of 
the  Finley  Hospital.  General  Slocum  had  rooms  for  himself 
and  family,  who  came  from  their  home  in  Syracuse  to  be  with 


318 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


him  here,  at  the  Metropolitan  Hotel,  Pennsylvania  Avenue.  His 
headquarters  and  staff  were  about  one  mile  eastward  by  the 
Bladenburg  Road  passing  north  of  Finley  Hospital;  and  his 
Army  of  Georgia  was  encamped  further  to  the  northeast  near 
Hoover’s  farm,  and  all  within  a distance  of  two  miles  of  General 
Slocum’s  headquarters. 

It  was  deemed  necessary  by  General  Grant  May  27tli  to  ad- 
dress General  Sherman  a note  regarding  some  wordy  demonstra- 
tions of  Sherman’s  soldiers  (without  specifying  whether  of  Slo- 
cum’s or  Howard’s,  now  Logan’s,  command)  against  General 
Halleck  while  they  were  under  the  inlluence  of  strong  drink  in 
Washington;  and  Grant  suggested  to  Sherman  more  carefid 
guardings,  and  issuing  of  passes  for  visits  to  the  city.  Here  was 
an  unfortunate  echo  of  the  unwise  criticisms  of  his  superior  of- 
ficer by  Sherman  before  the  general  soldiery  of  his  commands  at 
different  times. 

It  was  now  the  general  effort  to  get  all  of  the  many  thous- 
ands of  soldiers  now  in  and  near  Washington  reorganized,  as- 
signed for  further  service,  and  forwarded  to  different  parts  of 
the  country  where  this  service  was  to  be  rendered.  Also  to  mus- 
ter out  of  service  those  whose  terms  of  enlistment  were  about  to 
expire,  and  those  volunteers  who  from  good  cause  desired  to 
retire  from  army  life,  which  number,  fortunately,  was  by  far 
the  greater  of  the  two.  It  was  announced  by  M.  C.  Meigs,  Quar- 
termaster-General, that  5,000  men  for  any  destination,  were  as 
many  as  should  go  together.  Ten  thousand  per  day  could  be 
taken  to  Relay  House,  and  there  sent  in  different  directions. 

General  Slocum  settled  down  to  this  earnest  work  at  his 
headquarters.  Discontinuance  of  the  signal  service  in  his  army 
had  separated  his  signal  officers,  but  he  called  Lieutenant  J.  B. 
Foraker  (now  brevetted  Captain  on  Slocum’s  recommendation 
for  his  satisfactory  service  during  the  Battle  of  Bentonville)  and 
lie  was  again  of  great  service,  now  with  his  facile  pen.  Other 
men  were  yet  with  General  Slocum’s  command  who  were  destined 
to  do  as  good  work  in  the  civil  service  of  their  country  as  they 
had  done  good  service  during  this  historic  march,  and  before  on 
the  field  of  battle,  namely:  Major-General  John  W.  Geary,  later 
Governor  of  Pennsylvania;  Benjamin  Harrison,  now  Brevet 
Brigadier-General  1st  Brigade  TITrd  Division  XXth  Corps,  later 


1865 


WORTHY  OFFICERS.  CHANGES 


319 


President  of  the  United  Stales;  Major-General  Alpheus  S.  Wil- 
liams, commanding  XXtli  Corps;  Major-General  Jefferson  C. 
Davis,  commanding  XIVth  Corps;  Major-General  Joseph  A. 
Mower,  who  now  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the  XXth  Corps ; 
Brevet  Major-Generals  George  S.  Greene,  C.  C.  Walcutt,  James 
D.  Morgan,  and  William  T.  AVard;  also  a commendable  list  of 
Brevet  Brigadier-Generals;  George  P.  Buell,  Harrison  C.  Ho- 
bart, J.  G.  Mitchell,  B.  D.  Fearing,  William  AMnderver,  Absalom 
Baird,  Alexander  C.  McClurg,  later  at  the  head  of  the  large  pub- 
lishing house  beai'ing  his  name  in  Chicago,  Daniel  Dustin,  and 
many  others  of  like  strong  and  worthy  character. 

Thorough  and  general  discipline  was  maintained  by  General 
Slocum  in  this  last  encampment  of  the  Army  of  Georgia  near 
AVashington.  Poll  calls,  dress  pai*ades,  and  formal  guard  mount- 
ings were  enforced  daily,  and  all  soldiers  were  required  to  keep 
within  the  limits  of  their  division  encampment..  Those  permitted 
to  visit  Washington  with  card,  were  limited  in  number  to  five  per 
cent,  of  those  present. 

Announcement  was  made  by  General  Slocum  May  30th,  that 
such  progress  hacl  been  made  with  the  muster  out  and  rolls  of 
discharges,  that  actual  mustering  out  of  military  service  would 
begin  this  day ; and  Sherman  gave  notice  that  regiments  would 
begin  their  return  to  their  respective  homes  the  next  day  at  the 
rate  of  about  7,000  per  day;  and  within  ten  days  all  members 
of  his  armies  should  be  on  their  way  home  or  to  their  new  camps 
of  rendezvous  for  continued  service. 

After  consultation,  and  much  consideration,  General  Grant 
wrote  to  the  Secretary  of  War  recommending  discontinuance  of 
the  Army  of  Georgia  inasmuch  as  it  had  completed  its  work  as 
such,  and  he  further  recommended  the  transference  of  all  the 
veteran  troops  of  it  not  now  discharged,  to  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee.  Preparatory  to  entering  upon  this  plan  General  Slo- 
cum issued  his  Special  Orders  Number  84,  June  4th,  transferring 
certain  officers  and  regiments  of  his  XXth  Army  Corps  to  his 
XIAGh  Corps,  and  certain  officers  and  regiments  of  his  XIAAh 
to  his  XXth  Corps,  and  directing  other  officers  to  report  to  other 
headquarters  for  assignment  to  future  service.  His  work  now 
being  completed  with  this  organization,  his  farewell  address  was 
forthcoming,  namely : 


Gaunt  from  the  March  of  1,000  Miles  Through  the  Heart  of  the  Confederacy 


1865  PARTS  FROM  HIS  ARMY.  HIS  FAREWELL  321 


General  Orders, ) Headquarters  Army  of  Georgia, 

No.  15.  ) 'Washington,  D.  C.,  June  6,  1865. 

With  the  separation  of  the  troops  composing  this  army,  in  compliance 
with  recent  orders,  the  organization  known  as  the  Army  of  Georgia  will 
virtually  cease  to  exist.  Many  of  you  will  at  once  return  to  your  homes. 
No  one  now  serving  as  a volunteer  will  probably  be  retained  in  the  service 
against  his  will  but  a short  time  longer.  All  will  soon  be  permitted  to  re- 
turn and  receive  the  rewards  due  them  as  the  gallant  defenders  of  their 
eountry.  While  I cannot  repress  a feeling  of  sadness  at  parting  with  you, 
I congratulate  you  upon  the  grand  results  achieved  by  your  valor,  fidelity, 
and  patriotism.  No  generation  has  ever  done  more  for  the  permanent 
establishment  of  a just  and  liberal  form  of  government,  more  for  the  hon- 
or of  their  nation,  than  has  been  done  during  the  past  four  years  by  the 
armies  of  the  United  States  and  the  patriotic  people  at  home  who  have 
poured  out  their  wealth  in  support  of  these  armies  with  a liberality  never 
before  witnessed  in  any  country.  Do  not  forget  the  parting  advice  of 
that  great  chieftain  (Sherman)  who  led  you  through  your  recent  bril- 
liant campaign:  ‘As  in  war  you  have  been  good  soldiers,  so  in  peace  be 
good  citizens.  ’ Should  you  ever  desire  to  resume  the  honored  profession 
you  are  now  about  to  leave,  do  not  forget  that  this  profession  is  hon- 
orable only  when  followed  in  obedience  to  the  orders  of  the  constituted 
authority  of  your  government.  With  feelings  of  deep  gratitude  to  each 
and  all  of  you  for  your  uniform  soldierly  conduct,  for  the  patience  and 
fortitude  with  which  you  have  borne  all  the  hardships  it  has  been  neces- 
sary to  impose  upon  you,  and  for  the  unflinching  resolution  with  which 
you  have  sustained  the  holy  cause  in  which  we  have  been  engaged,  I bid 

you  farewell.  _ 

Id.  W.  Slocum, 

Major-General,  Commanding.  no 


On  the  9th  of  June  the  1st  Division  of  the  XIYtli  Army 
Corps  started  from  Washington  by  railway  trains  for  Louisville, 
Kentucky,  and  further  south.  Different  parts  of  this  and  the 
XXth  Corps  were  at  this  time  already  at  their  homes  or  nearly 
there  with  their  honorable  discharge  papers.  This  day  General 
Slocum  was  granted  twenty  days  leave  of  absence  by  the  War 
Department,  and  he  accompanied  his  family  to  their  home  in 
Syracuse,  New  York,  where  he  received  a rousing  and  joyful 
welcome. 

Although  scattered  after  General  Slocum’s  farewell  address, 
the  Army  of  Georgia1  was  not  fully  and  formally  dissolved  until 
June  17th  when  the  War  Department  in  its  General  Orders  Num- 
ber 117  transferred  all  of  its  undischarged  men  to  the  Army  of 

the  Tennessee,  thus  completing  the  record  at  Washington. 

21 


322 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


CHAPTER  L 

Commands  Department  of  Mississippi.  Resignation 

By  formal  orders  of  President  Andrew  Johnson  and  the  Sec- 
retary of  War,  June  24th,  General  Slocum  was  notified  that  he 
was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Department  of  Mississippi, 
with  headquarters  at  Vicksburg.  This  was  more  than  double  the 
territory  and  responsibility  of  his  former  command  of  the  Dis- 
trict of  Vicksburg.  June  27th  the  War  Department  issued  its 
General  Orders  Number  118,  dividing  the  United  States  anew 
into  military  divisions  and  departments.  Much  thought  had  been 
given  to  this  work  by  Lieutenant-General  Grant,  the  Secretary 
of  War,  and  their  advisers. 

General  Sherman  was  returned  to  the  southwest  as  he  desired 
to  be,  with  headquarters  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

It  was  a great  compliment  to  General  Slocum  to  be  returned 
to  Vicksburg  with  extended  territory  and  increased  powers.  But 
he  did  not  seek  the  place.  He  did  not  want  to  return  to  the 
South.  He  preferred  to  leave  the  military  service  now  that  the 
war  was  practically  ended  and  the  Union  preserved  in  all  its 
integrity,  if  the  laws  could  be  enforced.  However,  he  realized 
that  he  had  done  much  good  in  Mississippi  before  being  imperi- 
ously called  to  aid  Sherman  in  the  Chattanooga-Atlanta  Cam- 
paign ; and  he  recognized  the  great  compliments  of  General  Grant 
regarding  his  work  at  that  time  and,  also  at  this  time  in  insisting 
upon  his  return  to  Mississippi  to  continue  the  work  of  instituting, 
or  continuing,  that  law  and  order  that  should  prevail  throughout 
the  land,  and  which  was  there  formerly  so  well  begun  by  him.  It 
had  not  been,  in  any  way,  characteristic  of  Slocum  to  shun 
danger  or  responsibility,  and  now  it  Avas  not  his  desire  to  shun 
any  assistance  that  he  could  give  to  the  neiv  administration  in 
the  delicate,  and  possibly  unpleasant,  Avork  before  it  in  inaugurat- 
ing much  of  a new  and  possibly  difficult  regime  in  one  of  the 
great  and  haughty  States  of  the  South  which,  though  its  strongest 
armies  had  laid,  or  Avere  about  to  lay,  down  their  arms,  there  was 
an  open  boast  that  the  South  Avas  yet  unconquered.  General  Slo- 
cum accepted  the  assignment,  and  soon  reported  to  the  War 
Department  in  person  as  ready  for  duty. 

General  Slocum  proceeded  to  Mississippi,  met  the  prominent 


1865  COMMANDS  DEPARTMENT  OF  MISSISSIPPI  323 


officers  there,  military  and  civil,  with  whom  he  would  have  to 
deal  and,  after  considering  the  entire  field,  its  conditions  and 
needs,  he  issued  his  General  Orders  Number  One,  dated  Vicks- 
burg, Mississippi,  July  14th.  It  announced  to  the  United  States 
soldiers,  and  the  citizens  of  the  State,  his  authority  for  coming 
to  them,  and  named  the  members  of  his  staff  that  they  might  be 
known  and  respected  accordingly,  namely:  Captain  J.  Warren 
Miller, assistant  adjutant-general;  Major  and  Brevet  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Eugene  W.  Guindon,  Captain  and  Brevet  Major  William 
W.  Moseley,  and  Captain  and  Brevet  Major  William  G.  Tracy, 
aides-de-camp. 

In  his  General  Orders  Number  Two,  July  17th,  General 
Slocum  announced  his  military  divisions  of  the  State,  namely : 
The  Western  District  of  Mississippi,  embracing  the  counties  of 
Bolivar,  Sunflower,  Washington,  Yazoo,  Issaquena,  and  Warren, 
with  his  assignment  of  Brigadier-General  Jasper  A.  Maltby  to  its 
command  with  headquarters  at  Vicksburg ; The  Southern  District, 
embracing  that  part  of  the  State  south  of  the  northern  line  of  the 
counties  Claiborne,  Copiah,  Lawrence,  Covington,  Jones  and 
Wayne,  with  Brevet  Major-General  John  W.  Davidson  com- 
mander with  headquarters  at  Natchez ; and  the  Northern  Dis- 
trict, embracing  the  part  of  the  State  not  included  in  the  Western 
and  Southern  Districts  with  Major-General  Peter  J.  Osterhaus 
as  commander  with  headquarters  at  Jackson.  The  Northern  and 
Southern  Districts  were  designated  as ‘Divisions’ and  the  Western 
District  as  a ‘Separate  Brigade’  in  the  sense  implied  in  the  War 
Department’s  General  Orders  Number  251,  Series  of  1864,  to 
enable  the  commanding  officer  to  convene  general  courts-martial 
when  necessary. 

By  General  Orders  Number  130  of  the  War  Department  July 
28th,  Generals  Osterhaus,  Manning,  Force,  Ewing,  and  Davidson, 
were  ordered  to  report  to  General  Slocum  at  Vicksburg  for  as- 
signment duty. 

The  Special  Orders  Number  Four,  July  21st,  of  Genei’al 
Slocum,  transferred  the  66th  Regiment  of  Colored  Infantry  from 
the  Western  to  the  Southern  District  of  Mississippi,  and  it  there 
reported  to  Brevet  Major-General  Davidson  at  Natchez.  The 
quartermaster’s  department  was  ordered  to  furnish  means  of 
transportation. 


324 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


Announcement  of  further  appointments  on  General  Slo- 
cum’s staff  was  made  this  day,  namely : Colonel  Henry  M.  Whit- 
telsey,  as  chief  quai-termaster ; Colonel  Samuel  H.  Sturdevant 
chief  commissary  of  subsistence;  Colonel  Van  E.  Young,  49th 
United  States  Colored  Infantry,  provost  marshal-general;  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel George  S.  Kemble,  surgeon  of  volunteers,  medical 
director ; Captain  Geoi’ge  A.  Williams,  1st  United  States  Infantry, 
chief  mustering  officer;  Captain  James  II.  Landers,  8th  New 
Hampshire  Veteran  Infantry,  assistant  commissary  of  musters; 
Captain  Samuel  Caldwell,  8th  Illinois  Veteran  Infantry,  judge- 
advocate. 

By  order  of  the  War  Department  Augxxst  14th,  there  was  a 
reduction  of  the  number  of  white  United  States  ti’oops  by  the 
following  named  discharges:  in  Virginia  5,000;  the  Middle  Di- 
vision 6,000;  Washing-ton,  District  of  Columbia,  8,000;  Ken- 
tucky 5,000;  North  Carolina  8,000;  in  Slocum’s  Department  of 
Mississippi  2,000.  Up  to  August  22nd  white  Union  troops  had 
been  mustered  out  of  service  to  the  number  of  719,338.11X  This 
was  getting  down  to  a dangerous  basis  of  colored  troops,  in  the 
State  of  Mississippi  particularly  without  thoughtful  and  prudent 
generalship. 

The  emancipation  of  the  slaves  had  been  broadly  considered 
throughout  the  North,  and  in  other  countries,  England  particu- 
larly, as  a distinct  moral  result  of  the  war;  but  the  later  acts 
of  President  Johnson,  a Southern  man,  made  him  open  to  severe 
criticism  by  the  Congress  and  the  general  sense  of  the  North- 
ern people;  while  those  of  the  South  had  become  highly  elated 
and  emboldened  by  Johnson’s  proclamations  of  pardon  and 
amnesty;  also  with  some  of  his  appointments  of  provisional  gov- 
ernors. 

At  this  juncture  influences  wex*e  brought  to  bear  upon  the 
President  for  the  appointment  of  General  Carl  Schurz  to  make 
a tour  through  the/  South  for  observation  of  the  condition  of  af- 
fairs generally.  Schurz  started  early  in  July,  and  he  passed 
three  months  in  travel  and  in  interviewing  all  classes  of  people. 
He  found  them  all  unable,  or  unwilling,  to  look  upon  or  to  deal 
with  the  colored  people  other  than  as  slaves.  Wherever  these 
people  began  to  assert  their  freedom,  or  to  object  to  the  extreme 
dictations  of  the  former  regime,  they  were  maltreated  in  various 


1865  COMMANDS  DEPARTMENT  OF  MISSISSIPPI  325 


ways.  The  work  of  the  Freedman’s  Bureau  was  nullified  by 
word  and  deed  as  far  as  possible.  He  found  the  sentiment  ‘ ovei*- 
powered,  but  not  conquered’  lauded  as  chivalorus  by  the  news- 
papers, women,  young  people,  and  clergymen;  in  fact  by  prac- 
tically all  of  those  who  had  not  been  in  the  army,  as.  well  as  by 
many  who  had  been  soldiers.  The  pernicious  effects  of  this  senti- 
ment were  seen  everywhere,  making  it  difficult  in  some  districts 
for  the  United  States  military  officers  to  maintain  peace.  Some 
citizens  who  had  been  known  to  express  Union  sentiments  in  the 
past,  were  now  driven  from  their  homes.  “If  there  were  some 
optimists  regarding  the  proposed  new  order  of  things,  there  were 
far  more  pessimists  of  the  cynical  kind.  ...  It  was  the 
sincere  desire  of  the  United  States  Government,  including  the 
military  officers  and  soldiers,  to  hasten  the  self-governing  con- 
dition of  every  part  of  each  of  the  Southern  States,  although  many 
things  occurred  to  largely  defeat  the  intended  good  result.”106 

It  was  part  of  the  plan  of  General  Schurz  to  visit  all  of  the 
prominent  military  commanders.  As  early  as  practicable  he 
called  on  General  Slocum  at  Vicksburg  and  lie  there  received  a 
cordial  welcome.  He  found  Slocum  pondering  over  a most  im- 
portant, and  complicated  question.  The  military  forces  of  Mis- 
sissippi, or  many  of  them,  desired  to  retain  their  organization  in 
order  to  ‘keep  peace  with  the  obstinate  niggers.’  They  had 
raided  different  bands  of  negroes  who  were  not  readily  coerced 
to  accept  the  desires  of  the  soldiers  along  the  antebellum  line  of 
coercion.  To  this  conduct  of ‘affairs,  as  a matter  of  course,  Gen- 
eral Slocum  objected.  The  provisional  governor,  William  L. 
Sharkey,  favored  the  continuance  of  the  State  Militia  to  keep  in 
favor  with  the  popular  sentiment;  while  the  United  States  Col- 
ored troops  saw  serious  result  in  such  continuance.  In  this  last 
opinion  General  Slocum  warmly  concurred;  and  he  issued  an 
order  for  the  disbandment  of  the  Mississippians.  General  Sehurz 
readily  and  fully  accorded  with  General  Slocum’s  view  and  ac- 
tion regarding  this  question,  and  he  so  reported  to  President 
Johnson.  The  reply  from  Johnson  was  that  General  Slocum 
should  not  have  issued  such  order.  Governor  Sharkey  had,  upon 
further  consideration,  given  up  his  acquiescence  for  a State 
Militia  as  an  experiment  too  dangerous  to  continue,  thus  placing 
himself  in  harmony  with  General  Slocum’s  action. 


326 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


Upwards  of  200,000  negro  troops  had  been  gathered  into  the 
United  States  service.  The  number  of  these  remaining  in  Mis- 
sissippi in  1865  was  but  1,412. 112 

His  warm  friend  Sherman  no  longer  had  control  of  Slo- 
cum’s department;  but  there  was  a regular  private  correspond- 
ence between  them.  In  Slocum’s  letter  about  this  time  he  fore- 
shadowed his  resignation  from  the  military  service,  and  he  in- 
closed a copy  of  his  order  against  the  organization  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi Militia  at  this  time.  His  letter  reads  as  follows : 

Headquarters  Department  of  Mississippi, 

My  Dear  General:  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  August  27,  1865. 

Your  favor  of  the  twenty-second  has  just  come  to  hand.  I came 
here  without  my  family  with  the  intention  of  remaining  only  until  the 
surplus  generals  were  mustered  out.  I did  not  like  to  go  out  with  a crowd 
of  worthless  officers  who  should  have  been  mustered  out  long  ago ; but  I 

think : — and  Company  will  outlive  me  after  all,  as  I do  not  intend 

to  spend  the  winter  here.  I shall  pay  you  a visit  on  my  way  home. 

Force  has  reported  and  been  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Vicks- 
burg District,  relieving  Maltby.  Force  is  a good  officer  and  I am  glad  to 
get  him.  Charley  Ewing  has  not  yet  come. 

Woods  has  been  very  sick  at  Mobile  but  is  better.  I have  met  many 
of  your  old  officers  and  soldiers  since  we  parted,  and  all  of  them,  without 
exception,  are  ‘loyal.’ 

I inclose  an  order  just  published.  I did  not  like  to  take  this  step; 
but  Sharkey  should  have  consulted  me  before  issuing  an  order  arming 
the  rebs,  and  placing  them  on  duty  with  the  darkies  in  every  county  of  the 
State.  I hope  the  United  States  Military  will  soon  be  removed  from  the 
State,  but  until  this  is  done  it  would  certainly  be  bad  policy  to  arm  the 

militia-  Yours  truly, 

Maj.  Gen.  W.  T.  Shekman,  H.  W.  Slocum. 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

The  reply  to  this  letter  was  prompt,  and  is  here  shown : 


Headquarters  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi, 

Dear  Slocum-  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  September  7,  1865. 

I have  just  received  your  letter  of  August  twenty- seventh.  Since  I 
wrote  you,  Charley  Ewing  has  gone  down,  and  must  now  be  with  you.  I 
have  read  all  your  orders  and  of  course  approve  beforehand,  as  you,  on  the 
spot,  are  the  competent  judge.  Sourer  or  later  the  people  South  must 
resume  the  management  of  their  own  affairs,  even  if  they  felo-de-se',  for 
the  Morth  cannot  long  afford  to  keep  armies  here  for  local  police.  Still 


1865 


RESIGNS  FROM  THE  ARMY 


327 


as  long  as  you  do  have  the  force,  and  the  State  none,  you  must  of  neces- 
sity control.  My  own  opinion  is  that  self  interest  will  soon  induce  the 
present  people  of  Mississippi  to  invite  and  encourage  a kind  of  emigration 
that  will,  like  in  Maryland  and  Missouri,  change  the  wnole  opinion.  They 
certainly  will  not  again  tempt  the  resistance  of  the  United  States;  nor  will 
they  ever  reinstate  the  negro.  The  only  question  is  when  will  the  change 
occur. 

I agree  with  you  that  if  you  see  your  way  ahead  in  civil  life,  it  is 
to  your  permanent  interest  to  resign ; it  don ’t  make  much  difference  when. 
You  have  all  the  military  fame  you  can  expect  in  this  epoch.  All  know 
your  rank  and  appreciate  you,  and  I would  not  submit  to  the  scrambling 
for  position  next  winter  if  f were  in  your  place,  unless  you  have  resolved 
to  stay  in  the  army  for  life. 

I shall  be  delighted  to  meet  you  as  you  come  up.  1 am  now  boarding 
at  the  Lindell  Hotel,  but  expect  to  go  to  housekeeping  in  a few  days  on 
Garrison  Avenue,  near  Franklin  avenue,  a fine  property,  presented  to  me, 
on  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  where  I shall  be  delighted  to  receive  you.  My 
office  is  on  Walnut  Street,  between  five  and  six,  near  the  Southern  Hotel. 

Always  your  friend, 

W.  T.  Sherman. 

General  Slocum  was  offered  high  rank  in  the  United  States 
Regular  Army  during  his  lifetime.  This  would  have  led  in  a 
few  years  to  the  chief  command,  with  rank  of  Lieutenant-Gen- 
eral. But  the  war  was  at  an  end.  He  could  not  be  a soldier  in 
time  of  peace,  preferring  the  free  life  of  a civilian  among  his 
friends.  He  sent  to  the  War  Department  his  resignation  from  the 
military  service  under  date  of  September  28,  1865.  It  re- 
quired several  weeks’  time  for  the  appointment  of  his  successor, 
and  for  his  reporting  in  person  for  duty.  In  due  course  of  time 
Slocum  returned  to  his  family  in  Syracuse,  New  York,  and  he 
there  greatly  enjoyed  the  atmospheric  and  social  conditions  of 
his  native  county,  so  different  and  more  invigorating  were  they 
than  had  been  those  of  the  summer  at  Vicksburg. 

General  Slocum’s  military  service  had  been  one  of  the  most 
continuous  and  active  of  all  of  the  officers,  throughout  the  Civil 
War.  His  constancy,  tenacity,  and  entire  trustworthiness  had 
led  to  his  rapid  promotion.  He  was  frequently  called  upon  to 
command  large  bodies  of  men.  None  of  his  superiors  had  just 
cause  of  complaint  that  he  was  ever  dilatory  or  disobedient.  His 
discipline  Avas  so  thorough  that  he  had  little  complaint  to  make 
regarding  his  subordinates.  Those  unworthy  were  soon  recog- 
nized as  such,  and  they  were  ‘weeded  out’  of  his  command.  His 


328 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


1865 


worthy  generals,  and  men  of  the  rank  and  file  not  disabled,  re- 
mained with  him  until  the  last  battle  was  fought  and  won.  He 
was  thorough  regarding  all  details  for  success — and  success  uni- 
formly accompanied  his  commands  and  his  banners. 

The  following  is  a resume  of  the  different  Army  Corps  with 
which  General  Slocum  was  connected  from  time  to  time : 

1st  Corps  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  as  commander  of  a 
regiment  in  the  Battle  of  Bull  Run,  in  1861. 

Vlth,  Army  Corps  as  commanding  a brigade,  and  as  division 
commander,  as  Brigadier-General,  and  Major-General,  in  pro- 
tecting Washington;  in  the  Peninsular  Campaign;  the  Maryland 
Campaign  and  at  the  Battles  of  South  Mountain  or  Crampton’s 
Pass,  and  at  the  Antietam. 

Xllth  Corps,  as  full  commander;  at  Harper’s  Perry;  the 
Shenandoah  Valley;  in  the  Grand  Reserve  protecting  Washing- 
ton, to  and  at  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg ; 
pursuing  the  enemy  back  to  the  Rappahannock  and  Rapidan;  and 
in  protecting  the  Nashville  and  Chattanooga  Railroad,  in  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland. 

1st  Illrd,  Xlth,  and  Xllth  Corps,  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
the  evening  and  night  of  the  first  day  at  battle  of  Gettysburg. 

Vth,  Vlth,  Xllth,  and  parts  of  other  Corps,  in  the  Battle 
of  Gettysburg. 

Ilnd  and  Xllth  Corps  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  from  Gettys- 
burg to  and  at  the  Rappahannock  and  Rapidan. 

XVIIth  Army  Corps  in  part,  and  local  forces,  garrisons  in 
fortifications  at  Vicksburg,  Natchez,  and  other  parts  of  the  Dis- 
trict of  Vicksburg,  including  gunboats  and  naval  militia,  with 
headquarters  at  Vicksburg. 

XXth  Corps,  composed  of  the  Union  of  the  Xlth  and  Xllth 
Corps,  in  the  Chattanooga  and  Atlanta  Campaign  from  Chatta- 
hoochee and  in  the  occupation  of  Atlanta,  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland. 

XIVth  and  XXth  Corps,  composing  the  Army  of  Georgia, 
and  often  the  Cavalry,  in  the  great  March  to  the  Sea,  the  occupa- 
tion of  Milledgeville,  and  Savannah. 

XIVth,  XVth,  and  XXth  Corps  in  the  Campaign  of  South 
Carolina,  also  the  Cavalry,  from  Savannah  to  Sister’s  Perry. 

XIVth  and  XXth  Corps,  composing  the  Army  of  Georgia, 


1865  HIS  EXTENSIVE  AND  SUCCESSFUL  WORK  329 


in  the  Campaign  of  the  Carolinas,  the  battles  of  Averysborough 
and  Bentonville ; and  in  the  Triumphal  March  through  Richmond 
and  to  Washington,  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

The  great  March  to  the  Sea,  through  the  heart  of  Georgia, 
and  northward  through  the  hearts  of  South  and  North  Carolina, 
without  any  permanent  or  friendly  base  of  supplies  excepting 
while  at  Savannah  and  Fayetteville,  must  always  be  considered  as 
a most  brave  and  perilous  undertaking.  It  will  remain  in  history 
as  the  longest,  one  of  the  severest,  and  most  hazardous  undertak- 
ings on  record  in  a civilized  country.  Its  results  on  the  sur- 
render of  the  different  Confederate  armies  from  those  of  Lee 
and  Johnston  to  all  others,  as  well  as  of  important  cities,  was 
all  that  could  have  been  desired.  It  fully  demonstrated  to  the 
strong  belligerant  States,  and  Armies,  of  the  rebelling  Confed- 
eracy the  futility  of  their, further  struggle. 

The  proud  cities  of  Milledgeville,  Savannah,  and  Fayette- 
ville, were  captured  without  battle,  and  Columbia  with  little  show 
of  opposition.  Charleston  was  vacated  of  armed  resistance  to  its 
occupancy  by  United  States  authorities  as  soon  as  its  railway 
lines  of  food  supplies  were  cut  by  the  Union  troops  on  the  great 
march. 

The  battle  of  the  Last  Chance  of  tire  Confederacy  was  fought, 
and  won,  by  General  Slocum  March  19th  and  20th.  The  Confed- 
erate Government  disappeared  from  sight  and  hearing  with  the 
surrender  of  General  Robert  E.  Lee  April  9th.  General  Joseph  E. 
Johnston,  Slocum’s  opponent,  surrendered  April  26th.  Lieuten- 
ant-General Richard  Taylor  made  what  he  thought  to  be  the  last 
surrender  of  the  war  east  of  the  Mississippi  River,  May  4th  at 
Citronelle,  Alabama.  General  Samuel  Jones  surrendered  the 
enemy’s  troops  in  Florida  May  10th.  The  Unionist  President 
Andrew  Johnson  issued  a proclamation  May  10th,  to  the  effect 
that  all  armed  opposition  to  the  enforcement  of  the  laws  of  the 
United  States  had  ceased.  But  General  Jefferson  Thompson  sur- 
rendered only  part  of  the  troops  west  of  the  Mississippi  River 
May  11th  at  Chalk  Bluff,  Arkansas ; and  May  1.3th  the  last  en- 
gagement of  the  militant  Confederates  occurred  at  Palmetto 
Ranch,  Texas.  General  Kirby  Smith  did  not  lay  down  his  arms 
until  May  26th,  and  he  was  nominally  in  charge  of  all  Con- 
federate troops  west  of  the  Mississippi. 


330 


.J'y.  //" 


At  the  Close  of  his  Military  Career.  Age  39  Years 


1865  RETIRES  FROM  ARMY  TO  PRIVATE  LIFE  331 


On  the  sea,  the  Confederates  did  not  take  down  their  flag 
until  July  1,  1865,  their  vessels  having  been  distant  from  United 
States  port. 

According  to  the  decisions  of  the  Supreme  Court  the  Civil 
War  ceased  as  a status  in  Tennessee  June  13,  1865;  in  Georgia, 
South  Carolina,  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  Alabama,  Arkansas, 
Mississippi,  and  Florida,  it  ceased  as  a status  April  2,  1866.  In 
Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  the  Indian  Territory,  it  ceased  August 
20,  1866.  But  these  later  dates  were  judicial,  not  military. 

General  Slocum  did  not  sheathe  his  sword  finally  until  the 
last  armed  enemy  of  the  United  States  had  fully  surrendered. 
The  war  was  ended ; and  he  could  not  be  a soldier  in  time  of 
peace. 


CHAPTER  LI 

To  Brooklyn.  Letters.  Elected  to  Congress 
The  political  parties  of  New  York  were  very  active  in  the 
year  1865  and,  as  early  as  August,  General  Slocum  had  been 
quite  annoyed  by  long  letters  from  prominent  members  of  the 
parties  there  importuning  him  to  accept  the  office  at  the  head  of 
the  ticket,  that  of  Secretary  of  State,  the  Governor  not  being 
elected  this  year.  Both  parties  urged  their  claims  for  their  plat- 
forms, and  for  him  to  permit  his  name  to  be  presented  to  the 
convention.  Slocum’s  family  and  other  immediate  friends  were 
surprised  when  the  Democratic  Convention  placed  his  name  at 
the  head  of  its  ticket.  But  this  was  a Republican  year  and 
General  Francis  C.  Barlow,  whose  name  was  at  the  head  of 
the  opposing  ticket,  was  elected,  in  the  November  election.  Bar- 
low  was  an  able  officer,  and  a worthy  man,  and  Slocum  did  not 
mourn  his  own  defeat.  As  an  item  of  news,  Slocum  must  needs 
mention  in  his  letter  this,  his  first  defeat,  to  his  friend  Sherman. 
The  reply  was  characteristic : 

Saint  Louis,  Mo.,  December  26,  1865. 

Gen.  H.  W.  Slocum,  Syracuse,  New  York. 

Dear  Slocum : 

I got  home  last  Friday  after  a three  weeks’  absence  down  in  Arkan- 
sas, and  found,  among  a budget  of  letters  received,  your  valued  favor  of 
Nov.  thirtieth.  This  is  my  first  leisure  hour  since,  and  I hasten  to  assure 
you  of  my  great  personal  attachment,  and  that  I would  do  almost  anything 
that  would  mark  my  favor  to  you. 


332 


HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


1865 


I think  I was  more  disappointed  at  your  non-eleetion  than  you  could 
have  been;  for  I thought  that  politics  had  not  so  strong  a hold  on  New 
York  as  to  defeat  you  for  an  office  that  should  have  been  above  the  in- 
fluence of  mere  party  organization.  But  you  are  young,  aud  can  stand 
it;  and  I know  that,  some  time  later,  your  State  will  recognize  and  reward 
you  if  you  need  it,  for  the  military  services  such  as  you  rendered  your 
country. 

At  some  future  time  I will  come  on  to  Syracuse  and  stop  a day  with 
you  to  assure  you  of  my  great  partiality,  and  also  to  renew  the  short  but 
most  agreeable  acquaintance  formed  in  Washington  with  your  wife,  to 
whom  I beg  you  will  convey  my  best  compliments. 

As  to  delivering  a lecture  at  Albany,  I must  decline.  The  truth  is, 
on  abstract  subjects  I know  I would  be  as  prosy  as  a cyclopedia,  and  not 
half  as  accurate;  and  to  speak  on  matters  of  personal  interest,  past,  present 
or  future,  I would  be  sure  to  give  rise  to  controversies,  useless  or  mis- 
chievous. Of  the  events  with  which  we  are  connected,  I am  already  com- 
mitted, and  must  stand  by  the  record.  Were  I to  elaborate  them  it  would 
detract  from  the  interest  of  what  now  stands  as  a contemporaneous  narra- 
tive. I really  think  we  do  best  to  let  others  now  take  up  the  thread  of 
history,  and  treat  of  us  as  actors  of  the  past. 

Please  write  to  Mr.  Doty  that  I am  much  complimented  by  his  flat- 
tering invitation;  that  I appreciate  the  object  he  aims  to  accomplish,  and 
would  be  glad  to  assist  therein,  but  that  outside  considerations  would  make 
it  unbecoming  to  appear  in  the  nature  of  a lecturer.  Too  much  importance 
has  already  been  given  to  the  few  remarks  I have  made  at  times  when  I 
simply  aimed  to  acknowledge  a personal  compliment,  and  to  gratify  a 
natural  curiosity  by  people  whose  imaginations  have  been  excited  by  the 
colored  pictures  drawn  by  the  press. 

I have  not  preserved  out  of  the  late  war  a single  relic — not  a flag, 
not  a curious  shot  or  shell;  nothing  but  those  simple  memories  which  every 
New  York  soldier  retains  as  well  as  I do.  I do  think  that  your  regiment 
was  so  filled  by  young  men  of  education  and  intelligence  that  the  commis- 
sioners will  find  their  records  swelling  to  an  extent  that  will  more  than 
gratify  their  fondest  expectations. 

We  are  now  living  in  great  comfort  here.  Your  excellent  photograph 
has  its  place  in  the  albums  of  each  of  my  children,  and  Mrs.  Sherman  re- 
gards you  with  special  favor.  Wishing  you  all  honor  and  fame  among 
your  own  people,  I shall  ever  regard  you  as  one  of  my  cherished  friends. 

With  respects, 

W.  T.  Sherman,  Major-General. 

Tt  was  not  the  nature  of  General  Slocum  to  remain  idle.  It 
had  been  his  desire,  and  expectation,  to  open  an  office  for  the 
continued  practice  of  the  law.  While  considering-  the  important 
question  of  the  city  for  his  future  residence,  the  great  advant- 
ages of  that  part  of  New  York  City  then  known  as  Brooklyn 


1868 


CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  SHERMAN 


333 


were  forcefully  presented  to  him  and,  after  a short  prospecting 
visit  in  that  city  among  friends,  he  and  his  wife  decided  upon 
that  city  for  their  residence;  and  he  there  entered  upon  the 
practice  of  law  in  the  spring  of  1866. 

It  is  the  desire  of  the  writer  to  present  every  item  in  the 
history  of  his  subject  that  may  give  the  reader  side-lights  as 
well  as  front-liglits  upon  the  character  and  actuating  motives  of 
this  great  military  commander,  who  was  always  sensitive  re- 
garding the  fair  names  and  fame  of  those  who  were,  or  had  been, 
under  his  command  and,  to  a just  degree  sensitive  regarding  his 
own  rights  in  all  things  and  at  all  times.  The  following  letter 
relates  to  subjects  relative  to  which  most  writers  on  the  Great 
Civil  War  have  been  ignorant  or  defective,  in  their  duty  to  their 
readers : 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  March  8,  1868. 

My  Dear  General: 

Your  favor  of  February  twenty-fourth  has  been  received.  The  en- 
closure (relative  to  claim  for  services  of  a woman  in  Georgia)  was  en- 
dorsed and  forwarded  in  compliance  with  your  request. 

I read  with  much  interest  your  views  as  to  the  future  meetings  of 
the  officers  of  your  old  armies.  I have  read  the  proceedings  at  Cincin- 
nati, including  the  speeches  of  yourself  and  General  Thomas,  and  I frankly 
confess  to  you  what  I have  admitted  to  no  other  person,  that  I was  a little 
disappointed  that  no  mention  whatever  was  made  by  any  one  of  my  com- 
mand under  you  in  the  Great  March.  My  command  constituted  nearly  one- 
half  of  your  force  [one-half  excepting  Kilpatrick's  relatively  small  arm 
of  cavalry]  on  that  march,  and  your  reports  show  that  it  bore  more  than 
one-half  of  the  losses  you  suffered,  and  I think  it  entitled  me  to  a word  of 
recognition.  According  to  the  maps,  General  Thomas  [in  far  off  Ten- 
nessee] commanded  the  Army  of  Georgia  as  well  as  that  which  defended 
Nashville,  and  I cannot  for  the  life  of  me  tell  what  command  I had!  I 
begin  to  doubt  whether  or  not  I was  with  you!  In  order  that  I may  get 
posted  on  these  matters,  T think  I shall  attend  the  next  meeting;  but  I 
assure  you  I am  too  lazy  or  too  indifferent  on  the  subject  to  quarrel  with 
my  associates  for  ‘the  honors.’ 

Since  the  eventful  days  that  we  spent  in  Raleigh,  I have  witnessed 
some  wonderful  changes.  Logan,  who  then  feared  that  Frank  Blair  and 
myself  would  be  radicals  when  we  reached  home,  can  now  throw  ‘ old  Thad 
Stevens’  in  the  shade.  Stanton  is  earnestly  supported  by  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  although  at  that  time  he  was  exceedingly  unpopular  in 
the  Army  of  Georgia. 

Ambition  and  self-interest  have  wiped  out  the  memory  of  the  past, 
buried  old  friendships,  and  brought  into  the  same  fold  those  who  were 
then  sworn  enemies.  I presume  that  it  is  better  that  it  should  be  so.  Still, 


334 


HON.  HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


I cannot  curse  a man  one  day  and  fawn  on  him  the  next.  I cannot  declare 
slavery  the  natural  and  proper  condition  of  the  negro  to-day  and  to-morrow 
advocate  his  right  to  make  constitutions  and  laws.  Hence  I think  I shall 
never  make  a politician.  And  if  I am  not  a politician,  of  what  value  is  a 
military  record!  Thomas  may  have  the  credit  of  commanding  your  Left 
Wing,  and  Logan  the  credit  of  Bentonville.  ...  On  personal  as 
well  as  political  matters,  I stand  on  the  Raleigh  platform. 

Perhaps  I owe  you  an  apology  for  referring  to  these  matters  in  reply- 
ing to  your  kind  letter ; but  as  I never  allude  to  them  in  conversation  with 
friends,  or  in  letters  to  the  press,  I trust  you  will  pardon  me  for  writing 
to  you  just  what  I think  and  feel. 

I am  still  living  a quiet  and  happy  life  at  my  home  in  Brooklyn  where 
Mrs.  Slocum  as  well  as  myself  will  ever  be  glad  to  welcome  you. 

Lieut.  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman,  Your  friend>  H.  W.  Slocum. 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

An  early  reply  to  this  letter  was  received,  namely : 

Dear  Slocum:  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  March  13r  1868. 

Yours  of  March  eighth  is  received.  I was  very  glad  to  see  that  you 
took  things  so  philosophically.  It  should  have  been  my  business  to  have 
looked  after  the  interests  of  the  absent;  but  I was  told  that  all  would  be 
toasted  and  noticed,  and  as  many  officers  of  the  Fourth  and  Fourteenth 
Corps  were  there  I looked  to  them  to  say  some  kind  words  of  you.  At  all 
events,  I was  not  conscious  that  any  one  had  been  so  omitted  till  the  re- 
ports came  in  print,  when  I saw  at  a glance  what  construction  you  would 
put  upon  it.  I will,  however,  make  all  the  amends  I can,  and  aim  to  bring 
all  together  for  once  this  winter  at'  Chicago,  early  in  December,  and  afford 
all  the  armies  once  in  my  command  an  opportunity  to  have  their  own 
spokesman. 

I have  a letter  from  Schofield  highly  approbating  and  will  now  write 
Thomas,  who  has  never  recovered  exactly  from  the  criticism  on  his  slow 
fighting  at  Nashville,  and  my  taking  out  of  his  army  two  strong  corps,  a 
fact  that  J see,  plain  enough,  he  would  ignore. 

As  to  politics,  it  is  impossible  for  language  to  convey  my  detestation 
of  them.  I have  seen  Fear,  Cowardice,  Treachery,  Villainy  in  all  its  shapes 
contort  and  twist  men ’s  judgment  and  actions,  but  none  of  them  like 
politics.  It  may  be  that  polities  are  honest,  respectable,  and  necessary  to 
a republican  form  of  government;  but  I will  none  of  them.  As  you  say, 
Logan  is  a sample.  I remember  his  ranting  and  pitching  about  that  old 
Pagan  in  Raleigh,  pretty  much  the  same  style  as  now,  but  slightly  differ- 
ent in  principle. 

They  have  tried  to  rope  roe  in  more  than  once,  but  I have  kept  out 
and  shall  do  so  as  long  as  I can;  and  then  I hope  I shall  die  before  what 
little  fame  I have  is  lost  and  swept  away. 

Your  friend, 

W.  T.  Sherman,  Lt.  General. 


PRESIDENTIAL  ELECTOR.  CONGRESSMAN  335 


Unsought  by  him,  Slocum’s  name  was  placed  on  the  ticket 
for  Member  of  the  Forty-first  United  States  Congress  in  1868, 
also  for  Presidential  Elector ; and  he  was  elected  to  both  offices. 
At  the  expiration  of  this  term,  he  was  re-elected  to  the  next 
Congress  in  the  year  1870,  when  the  opposing  party  in  the  dis- 
trict had  a natural  majority. 

In  justice  to  General  Hooker  who  had  apparently  ceased 
being  vindictive,  as  well  as  to  General  Slocum  who  twice  official- 
ly declined  to  serve  under  Hooker  for  which  he  took  offense,  the 
following  letter  is  here  presented  to  show  that  Slocum  could 
meet  Hooker  in  a civil  way  as  man  should  meet  man,  namely : 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  May  20tk,  1875. 

Dear  General: 

Please  accept  my  thanks  for  the  copy  of  your  book  received  yester- 
day. I have  not  read  it,  but  have  read  all  the  extracts  published  in  the 
New  York  papers,  together  with  editorial  comments.  While  I anticipate 
a great  row  to  result  from  it,  I am  glad  you  published  it.  It  throws  a 
flood  of  light  on  the  story  of  your  campaigns,  and  not  only  corrects  many 
errors  that  have  crept  into  history,  but  will  prevent  other  falsehoods  from 
appearing. 

I accidentally  met  General  Hooker  a day  or  two  ago.  He  was  very 
cordial  in  his  manner  towards  me.  Your  book  of  course  became  a topic 
of  conversation  at  once.  He  is  not  pleased  with  it,  but  was  less  bitter  than 
I anticipated  he  would  be.  He  showed  me  a letter  written  to  him  by 
Geo.  Wilkes  on  October  14,  1864,  in  which  Wilkes  relates  an  interview  he 
had  just  had  with  Stanton,  in  which  Stanton  shows  his  animosity  to  you. 
He  suggests  to  Hooker  that  he  has  placed  him  in  command  of  a Depart- 
ment where  he  can  not  only  build  up  himself,  but  undermine  you.  There 
is  not  a doubt  but  that  the  letter  is  genuine,  and  it  is  a truthful  statement 
of  the  interview. 

I would  very  much  like  to  see  you.  When  are  you  going  on  the  plains? 
You  promised  to  inform  me.  Yours  truly, 

H.  W.  Slocum. 

In  the  year  1876  General  Sloeum  was  chosen  for  the  im- 
portant office  of  Commissioner  of  Public  Works  in  the  rapidly 
developing  City  of  Brooklyn.  His  personal  business  affairs  be- 
came so  engrossing,  however,  that  he  deemed  it  wise  to  resign  the 
commissionership  before  his  term  had  expired.  He  passed  the 
summer  of  1880  in  travel  through  Europe  with  his  family,  re- 
turning home  in  time  to  participate  in  the  presidential  campaign 
of  that  year,  delivering  addresses  in  different  Northern  States 


336 


HON.  HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


in  favor  of  tlie  candidacy  of  his  old  comrade,  General  W.  S. 
Hancock. 

At  the  New  York  State  Convention  in  1882,  his  Demo- 
cratic friends  presented  his  name  for  Governor.  The  writer  of 
this  book  was  in  this  convention  at  Syracuse,  Avliere  the  first  few 
ballotings  portended  his  nomination.  During  an  intermission 
the  delegates  from  the  western  part  of  the  State  ‘connived  with 
certain  ones  of  New  York  City’  and  by  the  next  ballot  Grover 
Cleveland  of  Buffalo  w'as  declared  nominated,  by  a small  ma- 
jority. At  the  election  this  was  declared  to  be  the  tidal  wave 
Democratic  year.  Mr.  Cleveland,  from  the  simple  fact  that  he 
was  a Democrat,  received  the  phenomenal  majority  of  192,000. 
Slocum’s  friends  placed  his  name  on  the  ticket  for  member  of 
the  United  States  Congress  and  he  was  elected  by  a full  share 
of  the  great  number  of  votes  cast.  The  writer  cannot  refrain 
from  transcribing  here  another  characteristic  letter  from  the 
great  Sherman : 

Washington,  D.  C.,  Dec.  9,  1882. 

Dear  Slocum: 

Looking  over  the  New  York  papers  of  this  morning  I noticed  the 
Club  Dinner  in  Brooklyn  in  which  yon  and  Beecher  spoke,  and  it  occurred 
to  me  that  may  be  I ought  to  have  written  you  congratulating  you  on  your 
recent  election  to  the  next  House  of  Representatives.  As  a matter  of 
course,  my  thoughts  of  you,  if  not  of  all  persons  and  things,  revert  back 
to  our  army  service  together,  and  I do  believe  I feel  the  pleasure  of  a 
father  when  any  of  my  old  comrades  attain  anything  they  desire,  be  it 
wealth,  influence  or  station;  but  time  has  not:  stopped,  and  we  hardly 
recognize  each  other  after  seventy  eventful  years.  Polities  too,  seem 
to  color  objects  as  with  a glass,  and  it  might  seem  disloyal  for  me  to  rejoice 
at  the  success  of  a Democrat.  But  if  you,  General  Slocum,  want  to  come 
to  Congress,  I surely  am  glad  that  you  have  come  endorsed  by  such  a vote 
of  your  fellow  citizens,  which  I choose  to  interpret  as  more  due  to  your 
personal  merits  and  qualities  than  to  your  partizan  associates.  One  reason 
of  my  regret  is  that  you  come  just  as  I leave. 

Don’t  for  a moment  believe  that  because  a few  newspaper  scribblers 
have  construed  me  a martyr,  and  consequently  that  I am  a fit  subject  for 
a Presidential  candidate.  The  thought  to  me  is  simply  repulsive.  I would 
not  be  a candidate  if  I could,  and  I could  not  if  I would.  No,  I have  my 
house  at  St.  Louis,  my  family  are  anxious  to  get  back,  and  T am  equally 
so.  All  our  neighbors,  are  as  jubilant  at  the  idea  of  our  coming  back,  and 
T would  be  the  veriest  fool  to  undergo  the  torture  of  a canvass  and  four 
years  of  vorry  and  discomfort  for  an  honor  I do  not  covet  or  appreciate. 

I have  seen  Presidents  Jackson,  Harrison,  Taylor,  Grant,  Hayes,  and 


RE-ELECTED  TO  CONGRESS.  BUSINESS 


337 


Garfield,  and  there  is  nothing  in  their  experience  which  tempts  me  to  depart 
from  my  convictions.  I am  under  no  obligations  to  sacrifice  myself  for 
the  Republicans.  They  called  me  to  Washington  against  my  will,  and  so 
legislated  that  I could  not  afford  to  live  in  a house  given  to  me  as  a com- 
pliment. They  cut  my  pay  down  below  what  Lt.  Gen.  Scott  had  in  1848, 
when  a dollar  was  worth  two  of  to-day.  Not  a year  since  but  my  personal 
expenses  have  exceeded  my  salary.  They  allowed  Secretary  Belknap  to  pile 
up  his  indignities  on  me,  so  that  self  respect  compelled  me  to  go  away. 
All  this  you  know;  so  that  T should  owe  anything  like  gratitude  to  the 
Republicans  is  out  of  the  question.  But  enough.  I am  glad  you  have  suc- 
ceeded, and  sorry  I must  leave  just  as  you  are  coming. 

Yours  truly, 

W.  T.  Sherman. 

In  1883  General  Slocum’s  friends  again  rallied  for  his 
nomination  for  the  presidency ; but  there  was  again  at  this  time 
a combination  of  political  intriguers  with  whom  he  declined  to 
train.  But  he  permitted  his  name  to  be  used  on  the  ticket  for 
Congress  at  large  from  New  York  State,  and  he  was  elected.  He 
was  chosen  Commissioner  of  the  great  Brooklyn  Bridge,  the  first 
effort  in  that  form  of  enterprise,  and  he  was  influential  in  de- 
claring it  free  for  the  public  use. 


CHAPTER  LII 

Civil  and  Social  Services.  Business  Ventures 

In  the  year  1882  as  many  surviving  members  as  were  able 
of  General  Slocum’s  first  command  in  the  Civil  War,  the  27th 
New  York  Regiment,  attended  a reunion  at  the  General’s  resi- 
dence in  Brooklyn.  Here  refreshments  were  served  to  them  in 
part  by  members  of  the  General’s  family.  This  hospitality  re- 
called to  the  minds  of  the  veteran  survivors  an  incident;  that  oc- 
curred at  the  Elmira  Barracks  in  1861,  early  in  their  prepara- 
tory soldierly  experience,  as  follows:  One  day  a deputation 
arrived  from  Syracuse  to  pay  respects  to  Colonel  Slocum’s 'men. 
The  Barrack  Mess-tables  were  soon  spread  and  the  boys  partook 
of  a feast  of  good  things,  home  made  by  the  visitors.  Among  the 
party  was  Mrs.  Slocum  with  an  infant  in  her  arms.  During  the 
time  of  compliments  and  speeches  which  followed  the  repast, 
Captain  Wanzer  held  out  his  hands  to  the  child  which,  attracted 

by  his  smile  and  his  shining  buttons,  leaped  into  his  arms. 

22 


338 


EON.  HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


Wanzer  called  to  order,  and  congratulated  liis  comrades  that 
Syracuse  had  sent  with  their  handsome  Colonel  a darling  child 
as  ‘Daughter  of  the  Regiment.’  None  who  witnessed  this  pleas- 
ing episode  then  thought  that  those  baby  fingers  would  help  serve 
a banquet  to  battle-scarred  veterans,  only  a remnant  of  those 
youthful  volunteers,  at  a regimental  reunion  at  the  residence  of 
General  Slocum  twenty-one  years  later.  This  communication 
comes  to  the  writer  in  part  from  the  Philadelphia  Times  news- 
paper by  way  of  George  L.  Kilmer. 

In  compliance  with  urgent  requests,  the  General  attended 
the  annual  reunions  of  his  former  troops  in  different  States  as 
often  as  his  increasing  business  and  more  local  duties  would 
permit.  During  his  official  years  in  the  Congress,  as  well  as  in 
his  business  and  social  life,  he  was  ever  mindful  of  and  for  the 
best  interests  of  those  who  had  done  good  military  service  in  the 
Civil  War.  While  he  could  not  for  a moment  sympathize  with 
pretenders,  false  or  insufficient  claims  for  government  bounties 
in  form  of  pensions  or  any  other  undue  favors,  he  wras  fully 
sympathetic  for  all  those  who  had  been  persistent  and  honorable 
servers  of  their  country  in  any  capacity  during  the  years  of 
great  need  of  loyal  and  trustworthy  servants. 

While  favoring  United  States  Homes  for  certain  disabled 
soldiers,  he  sympathized  with  the  efforts  of  States  as  much  as 
possible  that  they  might  care  for  their  own  soldiers  in  State  in- 
stitutions. He  early  took  action  regarding  the  New  York  State 
Soldiers’  and  Sailors’  Home  at  Bath.  Steuben  County,  and,  from 
its  inception  to  his  death,  he  continued  to  serve  as  the  head  of  its 
board  of  control  without  any  pecuniary  compensation. 

To  his  former  brave  comrade  in  arms,  Major-General  Fitz 
John  Porter,  he  remained  a loyal,  firm  friend  when  nearly  all 
others  forsook,  or  became  discouraged,  after  the  charges  pre- 
ferred against  him  by  General  Pope,  and  the  action  of  the 
Congress  thereon.  One  of  Slocum’s  longest  and  best  speeches  in 
the  Congress  was  delivered  Friday,  January  18,  1884,  when  the 
House  was  in  Committee  of  the  Whole,  having  under  considera- 
tion the  relief  of  Porter  from  the  findings  of  former  military 
court,  the  contention  at  this  time  being  for  Porter’s  restoration 
to  the  Army  on  the  retired  list,  so  as  not  to  oppose,  or  set  aside 
any  worthy  officer  in  commands  or  places  then  filled. 


CIVIL  AXD  SOCIAL  SERVICE.  BUSINESS  339 


General  Slocum  early  became  interested  financially  in  the 
Williamsburg  City  Fire  Insurance  Company,  this  Williams- 
burg being  then  within  the  City  of  Brooklyn.  Other  financial 
investments  were  presented  to  him,  some  of  which  he  discrimin- 


General  Slocum  as  a Citizen  and  National  Legislator.  At  Age  of  56  Years 


atelv  entered  upon,  The  Peoples'  Trust  Company  of  his  city  be- 
ing one,  and  in  which  he  was  later  chosen  a member  of  its  Board 
of  Managers.  The  business  of  the  Hecker-Jones-Jewell  Milling 
Company  attracted  him,  and  he  became  a member.  The  other 


340 


HON.  HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


members  being  cognizant  of  Iris  superior  business  qualities, 
elected  him  member  of  its  Board  of  Directors. 

The  General  early  observed  that  the  street  railway  com- 
panies were  not  developing  their  roads  as  fast  as  the  rapidly  in- 
creasing population  and  the  necessities  of  the  citizens  required. 
He  entered  upon  this  business,  developed  the  Crosstown  Railroad 
Company  and  was  chosen  its  president.  He  also  developed  the 
Smith  and  Jay  Street  and  Coney  Island  Trolley  Line,  and  ac- 
cumulated a controlling  interest,  bringing  all  of  these  ventures 
to  a satisfactory  condition  for  their  patrons  and  stockholders. 

A deep  and  increasing  interest  in  children  and  in  the  prop- 
er progress  of  civilization  in  their  behalf  led  Slocum  to  cham- 
pion the  right  for  their  betterment ; and  to  contend  strenuously 
if  necessary  for  the  proper  punishment  of  evil  minded  per- 
sons who,  for  pecuniary  gain  or  any  other  cause,  sought  to  de- 
moralize them,  or  any  person  or  the  community,!  in  any  sense  or 
way.  In  this  great  work  we  find  the  General ’s  name  heading  the 
list  of  a loyal  band  of  moral  heroes  ’ standing  shoulder  to  shoulder 
in  Brooklyn  with  Rev.  William  Ives  Buddington,  D.  D.,  Henry  R. 
Jones,  Alfred  S.  Barnes,  Courtland  Dixon,  J.  C.  Hutchinson,  M. 
D.,  and  others  in  the  support  of  Anthony  Comstock  for  the  sup- 
pression of  vice  instigation  and  dissemination. 

A short  time  before  the  decease  of  General  Slocum  his  friend 
General  Stewart  L.  Woodford  met  him  in  the  street  and  asked 
him  how  much  of  truth  there  was  in  the  statement  of  a mutual 
friend  that  he  (Slocum)  would  like  to  be  a member  of  the  Board 
of  Education.  General  Slocum  replied  that  he  had  made  such 
statement,  and  he  said  to  Woodford:  “Mayor  Sehieren  is  my 
near  neighbor,  and  I would  not  like  to  say  it  to  him  myself,  but 
I wish  you  would  tell  him  that  if,  when  he  is  making  up  the  list 
of  new  trustees,  he  has  no  one  else,  I would  like  to  go  into  the 
Board  of  Education.  All  my  ambition  has  passed  away,  but  in 
the  closing  years  of  my  life  I would  like  to  help  the  children  of 
Brooklyn.  A man  can  do  more  good  in  helping  the  children  to 
be  taught  well  than  he  can  in  commanding  an  army.” 

The  Brooklyn  Club  appealed  to  Slocum  as  a good  place  to 
occasionally  meet  his  friends  of  the  city,  and  to  entertain  an 
occasional  caller  from  a distance ; and  his  election  to  the  board 


WORKS  FOR  BETTERMENT  OF  MANKIND 


341 


of  control  had  a strong  effect  in  retaining  this  institution  within 
wholesome  bounds  of  operation. 

The  General  was  a member,  to  the  time  of  his  decease,  by 
State  appointment,  of  the  Board  of  Gettysburg  Monuments  Com- 
missioners. To  the  multiform  duties  of  this  State  work  he  gave 
much  time  and  thought.  New  York  far  surpassed  any  other 
State  in  the  number  of  troops  in  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg,  and 
its  losses  there  were  at  least  relatively  in  same  proportion.  There 
were  of  the  citizens  of  New  York  killed  in  this  battle,  82  officers 
and  912  enlisted  men;  wounded  306  officers  and  3,763  enlisted 
men. 

General  Slocum  had  the  reputation  of  being  a good  public 
speaker  although  he  appeared  as  little  as  practicable  in  public 
addresses.  He  visited  the  Battle-field  of  Gettysburg  occasionally 
in  line  with  his  duties  there  as  Monuments  Commissioner,  and 
there  it  Avas  necessary  that  he  should  address  the  large  numbers 
of  those  anxious  to  hear  him.  Part  of  his  address  at  the  dedica- 
tion or  unveiling  of  the  monument  erected  in  honor  of  his  149th 
Regiment  of  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry,  September  18,  1892, 
will  be  here  given  to  illustrate  his  practical  style  of  presenting 
historical  questions,  being  at  once  very  satisfactory  to  those 
present  from  its  descriptive  data,  and  quite  the  opposite  to  those 
at  home  who  eA’aded  military  service.  The  report  of  this  address 
is  printed  in  full  in  the  Final  Report  in  the  year  1900,  of  the 
Commission  occupying  three  quarto  volumes,  in  volume  iii,  pages 
1016,  1017.  The  monuments  referred  to  in  the  address  are 
beautifully  pictured  in  these  books,  all  of  Avhich  does  great  honor 
to  the  great  Empire  State,  the  native  place  of  the  General  and 
the  writer.  The  address  in  question  is  as  follows : 

1 ‘ Comrades,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen : 

“We  haAre  assembled  to  dedicate  this  beautiful  monument, 
which  marks  one  of  the  places  Avhere  the  One  hundred . and 
forty-ninth  New  York  Volunteers  fought  on  this  field.  My*  rela- 
tions to  this  regiment  were  peculiar.  It  A\ras  raised  in  my  native 
county.  Many  of  its  members  were  my  personal  friends.  It 
served  with  me  from  the  Battle  of  Antietam  to  the  close  of  the 
war,  taking  an  active  and  important  part  not  only  on  this  field, 
but  in  a score  of  other  battles.  It  was  with  me  on  the  great 


342 


HON.  HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


march  from  Atlanta  to  the  Sea,  and  from  Savannah  to  Wash- 
ington. I should  be  ungrateful,  indeed,  if  I failed  to  do  all  in 
my  power  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  its  gallant  deeds. 

“Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war,  a few  gentlemen,  foresee- 
ing the  interest  which  must  be  felt  in  the  field  on  which  the  turn- 
ing battle  of  the  great  civic  war  was  fought,  formed  an  associa- 
tion known  as  the  ‘Gettysburg  Battle-field  Memorial  Associa 
tion.  ’ A portion  of  the  land  on  which  the  battle  was  fought  was 
purchased,  and  it  became  the  property  of  the  Association.  The 
location  of  the  various  regiments  and  batteries  were  marked. 
The  first  monument  erected  on  the  field  was  the  one  on  this  line, 
erected  by  Massachusetts  to  mark  the  place  where  so  many  men 
of  the  gallant  Second  Massachusetts  gave  up  their  lives.  This 
was  followed  by  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Then  some  of  the 
soldiers  of  our  State,  remembering  that  we  had  more  men  in 
this  battle,  and  lost  more  in  killed  and  wounded  than  any  other 
State,  went  to  our  legislature  and  secured  an  appropriation  of 
$1,500  for  each  regiment  and  battery  from  New  York,  to  be 
used  in  the  erection  of  monuments.  We  have  now  on  this  field 
eiglity-two  monuments.  I congratulate  you  that  after  the  lapse 
of  twenty-nine  years  you  are  permitted  to  return,  and  with  this 
monument  mark  the  place  where  you  and  your  comrades  so  gal- 
lantly fought. 

“For  many  years  after  the  Battle  of  AVaterloo,  English  his- 
torians, poets  and  novelists  vied  with  each  other  in  glorifying 
the  heroes  who  fought  under  Wellington  on  that  renowned  field. 
These  laudations  reached  every  fireside  where  the  English  lan- 
guage was  spoken.  In  my  schoolboy  days  a part  of  our  daily  ex- 
ercises in  reading  was  an  extract  from  ‘Childe  Harold’  on  the 
celebrated  ball  given  by  the  Duchess  of  Richmond  to  the  of- 
ficers of  Wellington’s  army  on  the  night  before  the  Battle  of 
Waterloo.  Every  schoolboy  could  repeat  those  lines  from  Byron. 
And  at  that  I thought,  if  I ever  crossed  the  ocean  my  first  visit 
would  be  to  that  far-famed  field,  and  that  the  sight  of-  it  and  of 
one  of  the  heroes  who  fought  there  would  amply  recompense  me 
for  the  journey. 

“And  yet,  comrades,  you  fought  on  this  field  a battle  greater 
than  that  of  Waterloo;  greater  in  the  number  of  men  engaged; 


ADDRESS  AT  GETTYSBURG  DEDICATION  343 


greater  in  the  loss  of  killed  and  wounded;  and  far  greater  in  its 
effect  upon  the  destinies  of  mankind. 

You  often  hear  some  of  your  comrades  spoken  of  as  ‘poor 
old  soldiers.’  Some  of  them,  I regret  to  say,  are  poor — poor  in 
health  and  poor  in  pocket.  But,  in  another  sense,  no  soldier  is 
absolutely  poor.  We  are  all  rich  in  a wealth  of  memory;  rich  in 
feelings  such  as  must  have  come  rushing  upon  you  as  you  ap- 
proached this  field  after  a lapse  of  twenty-nine  years.  They  are 
all  rich  in  a nation’s  gratitude. 

“During  our  Civil  War  there  wei’e  men  in  every  Northern 
State  of  an  age  and  in  a physical  condition  to  qualify  them  for 
the  service,  and  had  no  ties  binding  them  to  their  homes  stronger 
than  those  which  bound  you  and  me  to  ours,  but  who  could  not 
be  drawn  into  the  ranks  even  by  a draft.  Some  of  them  cannot 
prove  to-day  by  their  substitutes  that  they  ever  bade  ‘God  speed’ 
to  one  of  these  substitutes,  or  to  any  other  soldier  as  he  marched 
to  the  field!  Some  of  them  cannot  prove  by  their  own  families 
that  in  the  hour  of  the  Nation’s  peril  that  they  did  so  much 
patriotic  service  as  to  even  breathe  the  hope  that  the  nest  news 
from  the  front  would  bring  tidings  of  a Union  victory.  They 
spent  their  time  criticising  the  government — cursing  Lin- 
coln’s hirelings  and  damning  the  draft  law.  And  when  the  war 
was  over,  disappointed  that  it  had  not  proven  a failure,  some  of 
them  sought  to  rob  the  government  creditor  by  compelling  the 
redemption  of  his  bonds  by  an  unlimited  issue  of  paper  money. 
Now,  my  comrades,  I know  not  of  what  you  think  of  this  breed 
of  patriots,  but  I have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that,  in  my  judg- 
ment, the  poorest  old  soldier  that  served  on  this  field,  as  he 
hobbles  past  you  on  crutches  and  in  rags,  is  rich  in  comparison 
to  one  of  them ! 

“Once  more  I congratulate  you  on  the  happy  circumstances 
under  which  you  are  permitted  to  return  to  this  field  which  re- 
flects so  much  honor  upon  you.  To-morrow  you  go  to  the  Na- 
tion’s Capitol,  and  will  march  once  more  over  the  same  route 
that  you  followed  at  the  Grand  Review  at  the  close  of  the'  Avar. 
You  will  find  the  Capitol  City  greatly  improved.  Instead  of  a 
straggling  \dllage  Avith  unpaved  and  dirty  streets,  you  will  find 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  cities  in  world — a city  teeming  Avith 
life  and  prosperity.  The  improvement  in  the  City  of  Washing- 


344 


HON.  HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


ton  is  typical  of  that  of  the  entire  country.  We  are  a prosperous 
and  happy  people,  and  to  you  and  to  your  comrades  the  Nation  is 
indebted  for  this,  prosperity  and  happiness.” 

Among  his  other  business  ventures  was  his  membership  with 
the  Coombs,  Crosby  and  Eddy  Company  which,  like  his  other 
associations  in  business,  proved  successful. 

He  was  invited  to  membership  in  the  high  Military  Order 
of  the  Loyal  Legion  of  the  United  States.  He  accepted  member- 
ship in  tlxis  patriotic  association,  and  was  later  chosen  its  Com- 
mander which  office  was  rather  more  honorary  than  otherwise. 
He  was  also  chosen  Honorary  President  of  the  Society  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac. 


CHAPTER  LIII 

Decease.  Spontaneous  Testimonials 

At  the  beginning  of  his  last  sickness  General  Slocum  said 
positively  that  death  was  near.  He  added  ‘ I am  ready ; the  world 
owes  me  nothing,’  wrote  Sydney  Reid  in  Harper’s  Weekly  soon 
after  the  General’s  decease. 

His  sickness  was  pneumonia,  with  renal  complication,  and 
weakness  of  the  heart,  causing  death  in  the  early  morning  of 
April  14,  1894,  after  about  a week’s  confinement  to  his  house. 
His  widow’s  decease  occurred  in  March,  1898. 

The  General  had  said  to  his  family  that  he  preferred  a 
quiet  and  unostentatious  funeral,  even  with  as  little  display  as 
possible  to  avoid.  His  family,  however,  justly  felt  obliged  to  ac- 
cede to  the  requests  of  the  thousands  of  his,  more  or  less,  personal 
friends  and  his  companions  in  arms,  that  they  be  allowed  to  do 
him  the  honor  they  felt  he  so  richly  earned  by  his  distinguished 
services  to  the  Republic. 

The  history  and  associations  of  General  Slocum’s  life  had 
been  of  such  public,  and  important,  interest  and  value  in  differ- 
ent senses,  that  it  was  inevitable  that  there  should  follow  his 
decease  numerous  public,  society,  and  private  testimonials  ex- 
pressing sadness  at  his  departure,  and  the  high  esteem  in  which 
he  was  held. 

The  Assembly  of  the  State  Legislature  publicly  acknowl- 
edged a sense  of  its  and  the  State’s  loss  in  his  death,  and  ap- 


DECEASED.  SPONTANEOUS  TESTIMONIALS  345 


pointed  a committee  to  attend  the  funeral.  The  Common  Coun- 
cil of  the  City  of  Brooklyn  resolved  to  attend  the  obsequies  in  a 
body,  that  irrespective  of  politics,  “as  a lawyer  and  a business 
man  we  have  all  learned  to  respect  this  great  man.  His  name 
and  deeds  are  a heritage  to  our  beautiful  City.  . . . that 

it  was  not  difficult  for  many  of  us  of  this  later  generation  to 
think  of  him  as  the  compeer  of  Lincoln,  Grant  and  Sherman.” 
The  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Kings  County,  embracing  Brooklyn,- 
also  met,  expressed  their  warm  sense  of  loss  to  themselves  and 
the  public,  and  offered  condolence  to  the  family;  a committee  of 
five  was  appointed  to  attend  the  funeral.  Such  was  the  action 
of  the  business  companies  with  which  the  General  had  been  as- 
sociated. The  Senate  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  the  United 
States  Congress,  were  quick  to  take  such  action,  and  to  spread 
their  sentiments  upon  their  journals.  Likewise  the  Committee 
on  Military  Affairs.  The  social  and  fraternal  societies  also  sent 
their  similar  resolutions,  including  the  Grand  Army  Posts  of 
the  State  of  New  York,  and  of  other  States  throughout  which 
the  numerous  soldiers  of  the  general’s  different  commands  w7ere 
dispersed. 

The  funeral  exercises  consisted  of  a brief  service  at  his  home, 
645  Clinton  Avenue.  Then  Rankin  Post  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic,  of  which  he  was  a member,  escorted  the  body  to  the 
Church  of  the  Messiah — Protestant  Episcopal,  it  being  the  fami- 
ly place  of  worship  and  support.  The  First  United  States  Ar- 
tillery Band  played  a dirge  during  the  march.  Reservations  were 
made  at  the  church  for  the  members  of  the  family  and  relatives, 
for  delegations  from  the  Loyal  Legion,  and  Grand  Army,  for  of- 
ficers of  the  Regular  Army  and  Navy,  of  the  National  Guard, 
and  for  other  public,  social,  and  fraternal  organizations. 

The  services  consisted  of  the  reading  of  a chapter  of  Scrip- 
ture and  prayer  by  the  Reverend  Charles  R.  Baker,  D.  D..  rector, 
and  then  the  rendering  of  the  full  choral  service.  The  Reverend 
Richard  Salter  Storrs,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  the  Church  of  the  Pil- 
grims, Congregational,  upon  request  delivered  the  Address,  from 
which  the  following  are  liberal  extracts,  namely: 

The  spontaneous  feeling  throughout  the  city,  and  equally  among  the 
many  who  have  come  to  us  from  abroad,  seems  to  take  this  occasion  out 
of  the  common,  and  to  allow — perhaps  to  require — a freer  individual  utter- 


346  HON.  HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM,  DECEASED 

ance  than  is  usual,  concerning  him  who  has  gone  from  among  us.  It  is 
not  so  much  for  honor  to  him  as  for  satisfaction  to  our  own  hearts  that  we 
pause  for  a little,  in  grateful  reminiscence,  before  going  forth,  with  ban- 
ners furled  and  muffled  drums,  to  the  final  rites. 

In  the  brief  address  assigned  to  me  by  the  desire  of  the  household  of 
our  friend,  and  through  the  courtesy  of  the  rector  of  this  church,  it  is 
evident  that  no  just  and  adequate  tribute  can  be  paid  to  the  brilliant  com- 
mander and  noble  citizen  around  whose  coffin  we  are  gathered.  The  of- 
fice of  sufficient  eulogy  must  plainly  be  reserved  for  other  times  and  other 
voices.  But  we  are  surely  at  liberty  to  speak,  as  we  are  prompted  to 
speak,  of  what  we  are  henceforth  to  miss,  of  what  the  city  is  to  miss,  of 
what  his  own  household  most  sadly  and  deeply  is  to  miss  in  the  removal 
of  this  eminent  and  trusted  man  from  life  on  earth.  We  are  at  liberty, 
as  we  are  prompted,  to  recognize  gratefully  God’s  goodness  toward  him, 
in  the  powers  which  lie  gave  him,  in  the  education  of  mind  and  character 
which  He  supplied,  and  in  the  opportunity  which  He  opened  for  great 
service  to  the  Nation  and  its  future.  And  while  we  bow  ourselves  submis- 
sively before  the  present  Divine  appointment,  it  is  our  privilege  to  gather, 
as  far  as  we  briefly  may,  certain  natural  and  helpful  impressions  of  what 
has  been  and  must  always  be  this  remarkable  and  now  rounded  career. 

It  is,  of  course,  not  an  especially  prolonged  life  which  w'e  commemor- 
ate, though  it  had  nearly  reached  the  scriptural  limit  of  three  score  years 
and  ten,  and  to  our  eyes  gave  promise  of  much  longer  continuance.  Nor, 
of  late  years,  has  it  been  a particularly  conspicuous  life,  this  which  is  now 
closed,  eminent  in  public  observation  and  thought;  though  a luster  from 
the  past  has  always  signally  rested  upon  it,  and  the  great  results  coming 
from  one  sublime  and  crowded  passage  in  it  have  always  been  recognized. 
As  far  as  I have  seen  and  known  it,  it  has  seemed  far  more  than  is  common 
among  men  removed  from  the  reach  of  human  censure.  Certainly  it  has 
been  a life  noble  in  spirit,  in  aim,  and  in  effort,  which  has  justly  entitled 
him  who  achieved  it  to  the  place  which  he  held,  not  only  in  the  affection  of 
friends,  but  in  the  universal  public  esteem.  It  has  been  a life  presenting 
as  we  all  must  know,  extraordinary  contrasts,  impressive  and  memorable. 
This  has  been  true  even  of  the  circumstances  of  his  recent  departure  out 
of  mortal  limitations  to  the  greater  though  unseen  Life  beyond. 

Always  it  is  a thing  strangely  impressive  when  an  invisible  chill  in 
the  air  smites  fatally  a life  which  shot  aud  shell,  saber  and  bayonet,  on 
the  most  fiercely  contested  fields  of  battle  had  failed  to  reach ; when  one 
who  has  trodden  battle-fields  thickly  covered  with  the  dying  and  the  dead, 
and  swimming  in  blood,  is  done  to  death  by  an  impalpable  atmospheric 
current;  when  one  who  has  pushed  his  stubborn  and  impetuous  way  through 
swamps  writhing  with  wounded  and  echoing  with  groans,  or  through 
thickets  and  forests  where  the  very  air  was  almost  solid  with  the  shat- 
tering bullets,  himself  more  than  once  dangerously  wounded  in  such  ter- 
rific collisions  of  force  and  fire,  survives  them  all,  to  die  afterward  in  the 
midst  of  friends,  in  his  own  quiet  home,  beneath  the  tender  dew  of  tears, 


ADDRESS  BY  REV.  RICHARD  S.  STORES 


347 


to  be  laid  to  rest  in  the  lovely  and  tranquil  neighboring  cemetery  ‘the  place 
of  sleep.  ’ 

There  is  a contrast  here  which  stirs  the  imagination,  which  touches 
the  heart,  and  which  must  live  in  the  memory  of  all. 

But  even  this  is  not  so  remarkable  as  that  between  the  career  of  a 
great  and  brilliant  general  of  armies,  as  our  friend  was  for  a series  of 
years,  and  the  quiet,  unostentatious,  always  unassuming  citizen  and  friend, 
whom  we  have  familiarly  known.  I remember  to  have  been  much  im- 
pressed by  this  one  summer-day  nearly  a year  ago  when  General  Slocum, 
in  one  of  the  last  conversations  which  T had  with  him,  did  me  the  honor 
to  ask  me  and  urge  me  to  give  an  Address  at  Gettysburg,  on  the  then 
approaching  anniversary  of  the  great  and  fateful  battle  there  fought.  The 
Address  was  impossible,  but  the  interview  I gratefully  recall.  It  seemed 
almost  incredible  at  the  time  that  the  modest,  friendly,  unassuming  gentle- 
man, who  sat  so  quietly  talking  in  my  library,  should  be  the  great  leader 
who,  with  forces  suddenly  diminished,  had  held  the  right  of  the  national 
army  with  unflinching  steadiness  to  the  perilous  edge  on  that  day  with 
whose  fame  the  world  resounds;  w'ho  had  recaptured  positions  already  torn 
from  him  by  overwhelming  numbers,  and  had  contributed  so  grandly  to 
the  ultimate  triumphant  success.  But  so  it  was  always:  when  one  met 
him  on  the  street,  or  on  any  social  or  festive  occasion.  The  glamour  of 
a great  past  was  upon  him,  yet  beneath  it  he  was  as  simple  as  if  wholly 
unknown.  lie  who  had  fronted  the  grimmest  and  fiercest  perils  of  war 
with  an  undisturbed  pulse,  and  at  whose  command  batteries  had  opened 
and  armies  had  been  launched  on  their  victorious  and  destroying  way,  was 
still  our  helpful  neighbor  and  cordial  friend. 

Yet  even  this  contrast  of  past  and  present  positions  before  men  was 
not  so  remarkable  as  was  that  between  the  moral  and  personal  qualities 
shown  in  the  camp,  or  amid  the  uproar  of  battle,  and  those  appearing  in 
subsequent  domestic  and  social  life.  Men  could  hardly  believe,  sometimes, 
that  the  daring,  energetic,  invincible  leader,  fiercely  aggressive,  with  flash- 
ing intuition  and  trained  intelligence,  and  with  an  utterly  unconquerable 
persistent  courage,  was  the  same  man  in  wdiom  what  was  gentle,  gracious, 
playful,  affectionate,  came  so  constantly  into  view  at  the  home  and  in 
society;  the  grasp  of  whose  hand  was  so  cordially  welcoming;  whose  eye 
was  so  kindly,  whose  voice  had  in  it  the  musical  pathos  of  such  serene 
sympathy;  who  was  so  fond  of  children  and  friends,  of  books  and  of 
home;  that  one  who  had  been  stern  and  terrible  on  occasion,  should  present 
himself  to  all  who  knew  him  in  later  life  as  among  the  most  lovable  and 
delightful  of  men.  But  the  contrast  here  wras  not  a real  one.  It  was  only 
apparent.  Always  there  are  two  aspects  of  a great  character.  Strength 
and  beauty  are  joined  in  it,  as  sparkling  fountains  issue  singing  from 
rocky  recesses,  as  delicate  blossoms  charmingly  appear  on  craggy  cliffs. 

Paul,  the  most  martial  of  apostles,  illustrates  this.  His  favorite 
imagery  was  always,  as  we  know,  derived  from  the  camp  and  its  armor, 
the  shield,  the  sword,  and  helmet  of  battle.  He  exhorts  his  son  in  the 


348 


HON.  HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


gospel  to  endure  hardness  as  a good  soldier.  He  felt  himself  a sworn 
champion  for  the  Crucified  and  the  Crowned;  and  his  words  ever  since 
have  rung  in  the  world  as  trumpet-notes,  as  the  throb  of  artillery,  as  the 
stern  prophetic  shouts  of  victory.  It  is  impossible  not  to  feel  that  if  he 
had  been  a leader  of  legions  he  would  have  been  one  of  the  most  stalwart 
of  commanders;  would  have  marched  to  battle  with  a step  as  untrembling 
as  that  with  which  he  went  to  his  martyr-doom.  Yet  Paul  was  the  one  who 
wrote  to  the  fierce  and  fickle  Galatian  Christians  those  memorable  words 
“the  fruit  of  the  spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace,  long  suffering,  gentleness,  good- 
ness, faith,  meekness,  temperance”  and  who  exemplified  in  his  life  what 
he  so  touchingly  and  persuasively  commended. 

So  was  it,  in  his  different  measure,  with  our  friend.  The  two  phases 
of  character  were  combined  in  him,  as  in  even  his  physical  frame  grace  and 
strength  were  met  together,  elegance  of  figure  with  a strange  strength  and 
power  of  endurance.  The  stern  self-surrender  and  self-sacrifice  of  the 
soldier  were  in  him;  but  also  the  gentleness,  goodness,  peace,  of  the  man 
both  loving  and  beloved.  Men  will  always  admire  and  praise  that  golden 
side  of  his  shield  which  flashed  so  brilliantly  before  the  eyes'  of  the  nation, 
the  eyes  of  the  world,  in  the  years  of  the  war.  But  all  who  knew  him  have 
deeply  felt  that  the  silver  side,  which  -was  turned  toward  them,  -was  not 
less  rare,  and  had  upon  it  a still  lovlier  luster. 

So  it  was  that  his  return  to  civil  and  social  life  when  the  war  was 
over  was  wholly  natural,  involving  in  it  no  violent  transition.  He  had  not 
loved  war  for  its  own  sake.  No  great  commander  ever  does.  He  had 
recognized  it  as  sometimes  a sad  necessity;  the  dread  arbitrament  of  bat- 
tle between  the  irreconcilable  doctrines,  causes,  tendencies  of  the  age.  But 
it  was  in  order  to  ultimate  peace  that  he  fought.  It  was  for  the  mainten- 
ance and  advancement  of  a benign  civilization  that  he  had  so  often  fronted 
death;  and  therefore  when  the  war  was  over  he  turned  again  to  the  pur- 
suits and  habits  of  peace,  as  naturally  and  as  easily  as  an  eagle  from  his 
flight  returns  to  his  nest,  and  settles  into  its  shaded  repose.  He  had  done 
his  historic  work.  He  had  builded  his  life  into  the  life  of  the  Nation. 
Thenceforth  the  city  in  which  he  was  joyfully  welcomed  and  honored  was 
to  be  his  sphere  of  labor,  his  home,  his  paradise. 

It  is  of  course  only  just  to  say,  what  we  all  feel  to  be  true,  that  in  the 
removal  of  this  brilliant  and  faithful  soldier  and  friend  Brooklyn  has  lost 
her  most  famous  citizen,  of  the  widest  present  renown;  that  the  Nation 
has  lost  one  of  the  foremost  among  the  few  thus  far  remaining  of  its  great 
and  honored  commanders  in  the  terrible  and  successful  struggle  of  the  last 
generation  for  liberty  and  national  unity.  A fresh  sense  should  come  to 
us,  on  every  occasion  like  this,  of  our  obligation  to  maintain  the  nation 
and  make  it  nobler,  for  which  our  friend,  and  for  which  many  others  now 
present,  dared,  endured,  and  were  faithful  to  the  end.  'Purchased  by 
blood’  is  the  crimson  and  conquering  legend  on  the  front  of  the  Church 
of  Christ  on  earth.  ‘Purchased  by  blood’  is  a legend  forever  to  show  itself 
in  the  history  of  this  Christian  nation.  Let  us  highly  resolve,  now  and 


TESTIMONIALS  AFTER  HIS  DECEASE 


349 


always,  that  such  heroism  in  deed,  such  supremacy  of  self-sacrifice,  shall 
not  for  us  have  been  in  vain;  that  the  real  palm  branches  borne  before 
our  illustrious  soldiers,  as  one  by  one  we  carry  them  to  the  grave,  shall  be 
just  laws,  public  equities,  the  ever  advancing  power  and  beauty  of  the 
nation  which  they  saved,  within  itself,  and  toward  all  others.  And  let 
us  learn,  most  of  all,  the  great  lesson  of  the  character  of  him  who  has 
gone,  as  it  arises  before  us;  that  the  bravest  are  the  gentlest,  the  most 
daring  are  the  most  delicate,  the  most  stern  in  the  exacting  and  critical 
conjunctures  of  public  history  are  also  the  most  modest  and  magnanimous. 
So  his  life  will  further  live  in  our  personal  lives,  as  it  will!  live  also,  in  all 
coming  time,  in  the  renewed  and  exalted  life  of  the  nation  which  honored 
him  while  he  lived,  and  which  to-day  watches  his  obsequies. 

The  descending  sun  leaves  behind  him  a tranquil,  lucent  glory  in 
the  sky,  showing  that  still  he  shines  as  before,  though  now  beyond  the 
reach  of  our  vision.  The  happy  remembrance  of  a friend  departed  is  like 
that  gold  on  the  western  heavens,  still  for  a time  irradiating  our  hearts, 
while  telling  us  also  of  other  spheres  of  life  and  work,  in  God 's  grace  of  a 
serene  and  heavenly  rest,  beyond  our  furthest  time-horizon.  And  so  we 
leave  henceforth  our  honored  friend,  our  noble  citizen,  to  History  and  to 
God. 

After  the  church  services  the  body  was  borne  out  by  the 
eight  sergeants  and  placed  on  a gun-carriage.  It  was  then  care- 
fully covered  by  the  American  Flag  which  he  had  so  strenu- 
ously upheld,  and  the  large  and  impressive  procession  moved 
forward,  General  Horatio  C.  King  directing.  The  Light  Battery 
of  Artillery  from  Fort  Hamilton  under  command  of  Colonel 
Loomis  W.  Langdon,  and  the  Twenty-third  Regiment  of  In- 
fantry under  Colonel  A.  C.  Smith,  which  had  been  massed  near 
the  church,  fell  in  with  others  in  prescribed  order,  to  the  number 
of  3,000  or  more,  including  old  soldiers  and  the  National  Guard, 
with  long  line  of  carriages  containing  the  families  and  close 
relatives,  dignitaries,  and  citizens  generally.  The  principal  part 
of  the  military  escort  turned  away  at  Fourth  and  Atlantic  Ave- 
nues, and  the  others  continued  to  the  historic  Greenwood  Ceme- 
tery Reception  Vault.  As  the  body  was  there  being  deposited 
the  United  States  Artillery,  in  which  he  began  his  military 
service,  announced  his  final  departure  from  the  view  of  his 
mourners  by  the  Major-General’s  farewell  of  twelve  gun-dis- 
charges, the  bugler’s  sound  of  ‘taps.’  The  vault  door  was  closed, 
and  the  long  procession  began  its  silent  return  homeward. 

The  Will  of  General  Slocum  was  filed  for  probate  by  the 
Brooklyn  Trust  Company,  which  was  named  therein  as  the  ex- 


350 


HON.  HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 


eeutor.  No  schedule  of  property  was  filed.  The  testator  had 
been  successful  in  his  business  ventures  and  his  estate  was  large. 
He  had  been  successful  in  bringing  the  Brooklyn  street  railways 
to  a large  and  profitable  patronage  by  the  public.  He  owned  a 
large  amount  of  the  stock  of  the  general  system,  and  a controlling 
interest  in  the  Brooklyn  and  Coney  Island  Railway  which  was 
generally  spoken  of  as  Slocum’s  road.  He  was  its  president  and 
general  manager  until  the  last  two  years  of  his  life  when  he 
voluntarily  gave  way  to  his  older  son  bearing  his  name.  His 
Will  was  a short  document  making  two  public  bequests,  namely : 
$5,000  to  the  Children’s  Aid  Society  of  Brooklyn,  and  $5,000  to 
the  Brooklyn  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Children, 
thus  contributing  to  the  proper  care  of  some  of  those  who  were 
and  are  to  become  the  protectors  and  supporters  of  their  com- 
munity, State,  and  Nation.  All  of  the  residue  of  his  estate  was 
bequeathed  to  his  widow  and  their  three  children. 

Some  of  the  most  touching  sentiments  of  personal  loss  came 
later  from  the  New  York  State  Soldiers’  and  Sailors’  Home  at 
Bath,  New  York.  The  flag  over  this  institution  was  directed 
placed  at  half-mast,  and  a special  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees was  called  for  an  ‘expression  of  profound  sorrow  and  re- 
gret at  the  loss  of  their  distinguished  President.’  At  this  meet- 
ing an  extended  In  Memoriam  was  adopted  and  ordered  pub- 
lished. A few  excerpts  will  be  here  given,  namely: 

The  first  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Soldiers’  Home  was  appointed  by 
Governor  Lucius  Robinson.  It  comprised  the  most  distinguished  soldiers 
of  New  York  State,  and  its  members  of  whom  General  Henry  W.  Slocum 
was  appropriately  the  first  named,  were  eminently  fitted  by  their  ability 
and  their  devotion  to  the  objects  for  which  the  Home  was  established,  to 
successfully  inaugurate  its  management  and  make  sure  its  benefits.  With 
unanimous  voice  General  Slocum  was  elected  President,  and  until  the  hour 
of  his  death  he  continued  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  that  office  with 
unabated  zeal.  Although  residing  at  a great  distance  from  the  Home,  and 
notwithstanding  the  demands  of  his  large  personal  business  and  public 
duties,  he  seldom  missed  a meeting,  and  never  failed  in  his  faithful  care 
for  and  devotion  to  the  Home  and  its  interests.  His  rare  good  business 
judgment  was  of  inestimable  value,  and  in  all  trials  and  difficulties  the 
Board  and  management  turned  to  him  as  a tower  of  strength.  But  it 
was  not  this  alone  that  won  and  retained  our  regard  and  affection.  Be- 
sides this  it  was  those  qualities  of  heart  displayed  in  social  intercourse 
which  made  him  the  loved  and  valued  friend  of  every  member  of  the  Board. 


TESTIMONIALS  AFTER  HIS  DECEASE 


351 


We  mourn  his  loss  to  the  institution  as  irreparable.  But  above  and 
beyond  this  we  are  impressed  with  inexpressible  sadness  at  the  sudden 
sundering  of  the  ties  of  friendship  and  social  intercourse  which  have  so 
long  existed. 

The  Nation  has  lost  a great  soldier,  the  State  an  eminent  citizen,  the 
business  community  a distinguished  member,  and  the  Soldiers  ’ Home  a 
devoted  officer.  Appreciating  his  service  to  our  country  in  war  and  peace, 
and  the  personal  qualities  that  made  him  worthy  of  all  affection  and  esteem, 
we  tender  to  his  bereaved  family  our  heart-felt  sympathy  for  the  loss  of  a 
loving  husband  and  father,  a wise  counsellor  and  friend. 

The  Board  attended  the  funeral  in  a body,  at  the  residence, 
the  church,  and  to  the  end.  Its  In  Memoriam  ran  on  for  sev- 
eral pages  in  length. 

The  Keeley  League  of  the  New  York  State  Soldiers’  and 
Sailors’  Home  held  a special  meeting  in  their  club  rooms  and 
adopted  a series  of  resolutions  regarding  their  ‘loss  of  a true  and 
warm  advocate  and  liberal  patron  of  their  league.’ 

Independent  Memorial  services  were  held  in  Plymouth 
Church,  Brooklyn,  April  29,  1894,  where  General  Slocum’s  com- 
rade General  Oliver  0.  Howard  delivered  an  eloquent  address, 
and  General  Benjamin  P.  Tracy  before  offering  resolutions,  said : 
“We  should  erect  for  him  a monument,  not  for  his  sake,  not  for 
ourselves,  but  for  those  who  will  come  after  us,  that  they  may 
read  of  the  virtues  of  this  departed  hero.” 

General  Slocum  had  promised  to  deliver  an  address,  in  a 
historical  series,  before  school  children  of  Brooklyn  May  4,  1894; 
but  this  date  was  turned  into  a memorial  sendee  of  the  deceased 
expected  speaker,  with  Major  William  G.  Tracy,  a long-time 
member  of  the  General’s  staff,  as  speaker.  After  carefully  re- 
viewing the  life  of  his  subject,  Major  Tracy  closed  his  address  as 
follows : 

To  every  commander  under  whom  General  Slocum  served,  he  gave 
prompt  and  loyal  support,  doing  to  the  utmost  of  his  power  whatever  duty 
came  to  his  hand.  No  one  ever  had  reason  to  complain  of  slowness  or 
languid  and  insufficient  supipert  on  his  account.  Always  courteous  to  his 
equals  and  subordinates,  and  submitting  to  some  assertion  on  their  part, 
without  meddling  or  flattery  he  was  firmly  independent  with  his  superiors, 
and  would  never  submit  to  unjust  criticism  or  action  from  them  of  himself 
or  his  command.  His  military  career  is  spotless  and  without  stain.  It 
was  inspired  from  first  to  last  by  pure  and  noble-minded  patriotism. 

General  Slocum  was  always  and  essentially  a domestic  man.  His  staff 


352 


HON.  HENRY  W.  SLOCUM,  DECEASED 


officers  during  the  war  were  simply  members  of  liis  family.  Ever  familiar 
and  kind,  he  endeared  himself  to  all  of  us  by  the  personal  interest  he  took 
in  everything  that  concerned  us.  He  restrained  our  excesses,  taught  us 
honesty,  temperance  and  frugality,  and  while  he  treated  us  as  his  equals, 
he  never  allowed  us  for  a moment  to  forget  the  respect  we  owed  to  him 
and  his  position.  He  influenced  us  by  his  example  in  the  formation  of 
those  habits  which  contribute  to  permanent  success  in  life. 

In  the  years  that  have  passed  since  the  close  of  my  military  experi- 
ence, I have  seen  and  known  many  men  struggling  in  the  battle  of  life 
for  existence  and  power.  I have  watched  them  greedily  grasping  for  the 
smallest  distinction,  magnifying  their  own  services,  and  either  appropriating 
or  belittling  those  of  others,  and  I have  learned  to  better  appreciate  the 
noble  character  of  the  soldier  who  has  just  left  us.  In  all  the  sterling 
qualities  that  go  to  make  up  a man,  I have  seldom  met  the  equal  or  su- 
perior of  Major-General  Henry  W.  Slocum.  Firm  and  resolute  of  purpose, 
yet  with  so  much  modesty,  so  little  of  self-assertion;  so  faithful  in  the 
performance  of  whatever  he  believed  to  be  his  duty;  so  independent  in  his 
speech  and  conduct,  whatever  might  be  the  future  result.  He  was  the 
noblest  and  greatest  soldier  that  the  State  of  New  York  gave  to  the  nation; 
he  was  an  honor  to  his  name,  his  race  and  his  country. 

The  leading  Editorial  in  the  daily  newspaper,  The  Brooklyn 
Citizen  of  April  14,  1894,  read  as  follows : 

General  Slocum  who,  since  the  period  of  the  Civil  War  in  which  he 
won  his  renowm,  has  had  his  life  and  fortunes  identified  with  Brooklyn, 
died  in  this  city  at  two  o ’clock  this,  Saturday,  morning.  The  sad  announce- 
ment comes  with  a great  shock  to  the  community  upon  which  he  had  long 
shed  luster,  and  in  which  he  was  much  beloved.  The  cause  of  his  death 
was  pneumonia,  but  so  far  was  the  public  from  being  prepared  for  a fatal 
termination  that,  as  late  as  last  evening,  the  news  was  that  he  seemed  to 
be  on  the  road  to  recovery.  The  attack  of  the  disease,  so  far  as  the  news- 
papers were  informed,  though  serious,  was  not  regarded  by  the  attending 
physicians  as  likely  to  carry  off  the  patient.  The  sudden  change  for  the 
worse  is  but  another  proof  that  there  are  contingencies  which  can  neither 
be  foreseen  nor  provided  against  by  the  highest  professional  skill.  The 
General,  though  not  an  old  man — his  age  was  but  sixty-seven — had  evi- 
dently lived  so  fully  up  to  the  measure  of  his  strength  that  less  than  suf- 
ficient energy  remained  with  which  to  face  the  crisis  of  the  disorder  which, 
under  other  conditions,  would  have  been  successfully  surmounted.  A man 
of  slight  build,  distinguished  at  all  times  for  nervous  and  intellectual  activ- 
ity notably  out  of  proportion  to  the  bone  and  muscle  of  his  body,  he  was 
capable  of  offering  but  little  resistance  to  a malady  which  accomplishes 
its  end  rather  by  sapping  the  vigor  of  the  frame  than  by  vitiating  the 
blood.  The  remark  that  ‘man’s  life  is  an  appendix  to  his  heart’  is  pe- 
culiarly applicable  to  this  relation;  and  not  less  so. is  the  still  older  obser- 
vation that  ‘to  live  long  it  is  necessary  to  live  slowly.’  The  deceased  had 


TESTIMONIAL  OF  THE  BROOKLYN  CITIZEN  353 


left  no  fiber  of  the  propulsive  organ  unstrained,  and  the  story  of  his  life 
furnishes  all  the  evidence  necessary  that  to  achieve  rather  than  to  exist 
was  with  hiru  the  dominant  purpose. 

The  name  of  General  Slocum  is  permanently  enshrined  in  the  history 
of  the  Republic.  It  is  inconceivable  that  a time  will  ever  come  when  Amer- 
icans will  not  be  profoundly  interested  in  the  records  of  the  great  struggle 
for  the  perpetuity  of  the  Union,  and  which,  gave  us  at  once  a united  coun- 
try, deliverance  from  the  overhanging  curse  of  human  slavery,  and  the 
foremost  place  ever  held  by  a self-governing  jjeople  on  the  globe.  But 
until  such  time  does  arrive,  the  name  and  fame  of  the  modest,  valiant  and 
efficient  soldier,  whose  death  we  lament,  will  remain  undimmed. 

After  the  eye  of  the  student  of  history  has  lingered  upon  the  names  of 
Grant,  Sherman,  Meade,  Sheridan,  Thomas,  and  McClellan,  it  will  turn 
with  hardly  lessened  interest  to  those  of  Hancock,  Hooker,  McPherson, 
Howard,  and  Smith,  and  second  to  none  of  these  will  stand  the  name  of 
Slocum.  From  the  beginning  of  the  war  till  its  close,  almost  from  the 
first  beating  of  the  drum  that  called  the  patriotism  of  the  North  to  arms, 
till  the  last  rebel  against  Federal  authority  had  laid  down  his  sword, 
Slocum  was  in  the  field.  He  was  a fighting  general.  The  first  Battle  of 
Bull  Run  found  him  steadfast  in  the  midst  of  defeat,  even  as  Gettysburg 
found  him  a pillar  of  triumphal  defense,  and  the  March  to  the  Sea,  one 
of  the  most  conspicuous  of  the  commanders  whose  skill  and  valor  clove 
the  Confederacy  in  twain. 

In  the  West,  in  the  East,  around  Vicksburg,  there  were  few  engage- 
ments of  the  first  order  which  did  not  find  him  conspicuous  among  the 
most  distinguished  and  successful  marshals  of  the  North.  He  served  under 
McClellan,  under  Burnside,  under  Meade,  under  Pope,  under  Sherman,  and 
under  all  he,  alike  in  the  darkness  of  defeat  and  the  glory  of  victory,  was 
notable  as  a soldier  who  never  failed  in  his  duty,  never  shrank  from  the 
face  of  an  enemy,  never  quarrelled  with  a superior  officer,  never  complained 
of  ill  treatment  or  disappointed  ambition,  and  always  proved  himself 
equal  to  the  largest  duties  laid  upon  his  shoulders.  Than  his  there  are 
more  shining  records  in  the  annals  of  the  army,  but  none  better.  Fortune 
might  have  advanced  him  in  rank,  but  it  was  never  in  the  power  of  fortune 
to  enable  any  soldier  to  show  more  decisively  that  whatever  might  befall 
he  could  be  counted  upon  to  do  his  duty  with  an  unfaltering  heart  and  a 
capacity  equal  to  the  most  pressing  emergency. 

Of  the  life  of  General  Slocum  here  in  Brooklyn  little  need  be  said. 
It  is  enough  perhaps  to  say  that  he  never  shrank  from  the  discharge  of 
any  of  the  duties  of  citizenship,  that  he  placed  his  hopes  of  good  govern- 
ment in  the  "Democracy,  and  that  in  all  the  pleasant'  ways  in  which  a culti- 
vated and  interesting  gentleman  can  contribute  to  the  pleasure  of  the  com- 
munity he  exercised  his  talents.  He  wore  his  honors  with  so  fine  a grace 
that  he  might  have  sat  any  day  for  a picture  of  modesty.  It  is  impossible 
that  any  man  ever  lived  who  presumed  less  upon  his  claims  to  deference  for 
services  rendered  to  the  public  than  General  Slocum. 

23 


354 


HON.  HENRY  W.  SLOCUM,  DECEASED 


It  is  with  almost  as  much  of  pride  as  of  sadness  that  we  say  farewell 
to  this  gallant  spirit.  It  is  sad  to  reflect  that  few  of  the  more  conspicuous 
commanders  of  the  North  remain.  They  have  one  by  one  gone  to  the 
Valley  of  Avilion,  like  King  Arthur,  to  heal  them  of  their  grievous  wounds ; 
and  with  the  passing  of  Slocum  we  gaze,  as  it  were,  upon  the  last  member 
of  the  shining  procession  as  it  fades  from  the  physical  vision  to  reappear 
in,  the  permanent  sphere  of  memory.  But  this,  as  it  is  in  accordance  with 
nature,  is  a melancholy  mood  that  gives  way  to  the  joy  that  arises  upon 
the  further  reflection  that  the  deeds  of  our  heroes  are  a permanent  pos- 
session, that  their  example  has  increased  the  total  value  of  life,  that  it  was 
a high  privilege  to  have  shared  existence  with  them,  that  the  very  atmos- 
phere of  the  Republic  is  vital  with  their  spirit,  and  that  they  and  liberty 
are  destined  to  a common  immortality. 

The  Brooklyn  Standard-Union  daily  newspaper  of  April  14, 
1894,  carried  the  following  leading  editorial  on  The  Death  of 
General  Slocnm : 

Visitors  to  the  Battle-field  of  Gettysburg  and  students  of  war  history 
do  not  need  to  be  military  experts  to  know,  when  the  headquarters  of 
General  Slocum  are  pointed  out  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  lines  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  that  he  was  placed  in  a position  of  supreme  and 
critical  importance. 

The  world  knows  all  about  the  picturesque  in  Pickett’s  charge  on  the 
third  day  of  the  Gettysburg  combat,  and  the  sweeping  assault  by  Long- 
street  on  the  second  day;  and  has  accepted  the  romantic  stories  of  the 
two  Round  Tops  and  the  Devil’s  Den,  as  it  has  the  battle  above  the  clouds 
[by  Slocum’s  men]  at  Chattanooga;  but  there  is  great  imperfection  in 
the  general  understanding  of  the  splendid  struggle  on  the  right  (Slocum’s 
wing)  on  the  second  and  third  days,  in  which  five  New  York  regiments, 
with  only  thirteen  hundred  muskets,  under  Greene,  supported  by  Wads- 
wTorth,  resisted  the  desperate  advance  of  Johnston ’s  Confederate  division 
through  the  afternoon  of  the  second  and  the  morning  of  the  third  day’s 
fighting. 

Slocum  was  not  a noisy  and  advertising  chieftain,  but  a soldier  whose 
make-up  was  pure  steel,  and  he  always  bore  an  edge  like  a battle-axe  in 
the  flaming  front  of  war.  Right  behind  him  at  Gettysburg  was  the  reserve 
of  artillery  and  ammunition  of  the  army,  and  the  choice  troops  of  the 
Confederacy  were  sent  to  turn  the  right  flank  of  the  National  position ; 
and  for  them  to  have  done  so  would  have  been  the  irretrievable  ruin  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  in  that  event  who  can  conjecture  the  tremen- 
dous and  disastrous  changes  of  history! 

During  the  Longstreet  battle,  beating  back  Sickles,  on  the  second 
day,  troops  w-ere  withdrawn  from  the  right  (Slocum)  to  help  on  the  left, 
until  Slocum  made  so  absolute  a remonstrance  that  he  was  allowed  to  keep 
Greene  and  Wadsworth.  The  National  line  was  in  the  form  of  a fish-hook, 


TESTIMONIAL  OF  BROOKLYN  STANDARD-UNION  355 


the  curve  being  around  Cemetery  Hill,  the  shank  of  the  hook  extending 
southward,  the  position  of  Slocum  just  at  the  barb,  and  his  services  there 
were  beyond  all  estimation. 

We  state  this  with  particularity,  now  that  the  hero  is  gone,  as  a typical 
fact  in  his  career.  Throughout  the  war,  from  Bull  Bun  to  Bentonville, 
whenever,  wherever  a true,  unfaltering,  competent  soldier  was  wanted,  the 
commanders  of  the  armies,  from  McDowell  to  Sherman,  knew  Slocum  was 
brave,  faithful  and  capable,  among  the  very  strongest  and  bravest  of  the 
brave  and  the  strong.  Wounded  at  Bull-Bun;  in  the  thick  of  the  Seven 
days’  battles  before  Biehmond;  conspicuous  at  Malvern  Hill;  the  com- 
mander of  the  corps  that  at  last  checked  the  daring  and  brilliant  assault 
at  Chancellorsville  of  Stonewall  Jackson,  the  last  stroke  of  the  Southern 
genius  of  the  war ; in  the  vortex  of  the  whirlpool  of  fight  at  second  Ma- 
nassas; in  the  great  South  Mountain  skirmish,  and  the  fierce  tempest  at 
Antietam;  going  west  for  the  North  after  Gettysburg,  as  Longstreet  for 
the  South;  commanding  the  Army  of  Georgia  on  the  march  from  Atlanta 
to  the  Sea;  standing  against  Joe  Johnston  in  the  despairing  rush  of  the 
forlorn  but  gallant  and  dangerous  army  of  the  Confederacy  on  Sherman’s 
left  in  the  forests  of  North  Carolina;  riding  under  the  fiery  sleet,  cool  and 
commanding,  from  the  first  great  battle  of  the  great  war  to  the  last;  im- 
perturbable in  victory;  on  horseback  cheering  his  troops,  hat  and  sword 
in  hand,  steadying  their  broken  ranks  at  Chancellorsville,  was  Henry 
Warner  Slocum.  Under  all  fortunes  a hero,  under  all  circumstances  a 
gentleman  and  soldier,  and  becoming  all  the  glory  of  those  proud  and 
chivalrie  titles,  he  was  a man  his  friends  loved  without  stint,  and  the 
Nation  owes  him  gratitude,  and  the  generations  to  come  should  remember 
him  as  one  of  the  foremost  of  the  patriots  who,  with  blood  and  iron,  saved 
the  noblest  fabric  of  human  government  from  the  desolation  of  ruin  and 
dishonor.  His  figure  will  stand  imperishable  in  the  group  of  the  leaders — 
whom  history  and  art  shall  illuminate  and  embody  and  enshrine — in  the 
mighty  and  glorious  cause  that  won  the  war. 

The  characteristics  of  General  Slocum  in  military  life  distinguished, 
him  in  his  civic  affairs.  He  was  of  a temperament  that  made  garrison 
duty  when  he  was  a young  officer  extremely  irksome,  and  when  he  had 
endured  nearly  five  years  of  it  he  insisted  upon  resigning  and  returning  to 
Syracuse.  . . . The  outbreak  of  the  war  called  him  to  the  field, 
where  he  was  as  soon  as  there  was  fighting  to  do,  and  remained  until  it 
was  all  over.  When  the  war  was  ended  he  refused  to  remain  in  the  regular 
army,  and  in  Brooklyn  resumed  the  practice  of  law.  He  was  too  - manly 
a man  to  submit  to  the  manipulators  of  the  politics  of  intrigue,  and  it 
was  impossible  that  he  could  be  a subordinate  of  the  Boss  whose  iron  rule 
has  made  so  broad  and  sinister  a mark.  Nothing  but  local  opposition,  in 
the  highest  degree  creditable  to  him,  prevented  his  nomination  for  Gov- 
ernor when  Grover  Cleveland  carried  off  the  prize  from  the  Syracuse  Con- 
vention of  1882.  If  General  Slocum  had  then  succeeded,  his  majority 
would  in  all  probability  have  been  larger  than  that  which  Cleveland  re- 


356 


EON.  HENRY  W.  SLOCUM , DECEASED 


ceived,  and  that  gave  him  the  pedestal  from  which  he  stepped  to  the  Presi- 
dency. The  majority  of  the  people  wanted  Slocum,  and  the  opposition 
of  his  own  county  because  he  was  not  a Boss  man  alone  prevented  his 
nomination.  As  Governor  of  New  York,  with  two  hundred  thousand  ma- 
jority behind  him,  he  would  have  been  the  nominee  against  Blaine  in  1884, 
and  the  political  and  partisan  record  of  the  country  from  that  day  to  this 
would  have  been  cast  in  different  molds;  and  other  names  than  those  now 
prominent  would  have  been  on  the  wires  and  in  the  prints,  and  sounded 
through  trumpets  blown  from  the  towersi  to  tell  of  triumph.  The  name  of 
Slocum  will  be  memorable.  In  war  and  in  peace,  around  his  person  was 
shifted  the  scene  of  history. 

The  citizen  of  highest  distinction,  and  beloved  beyond  expression  by 
his  comrades  in  arms,  who  in  their  thin  ranks  will  feel  lonesome  in  their 
bereavement;  the  quiet,  kindly  man,  who  never  posed  or  faltered  or  pal- 
tered, and  was  clear  in  the  high  and  sacred  offices  of  friendship;  the  loving 
domestic  man  of  peaceful  days;  the  successful  man  of  business;  the  ‘good 
gray  head  that  all  men  knew  ’ disappears  from  the  walks  of  men.  A glori- 
ous personage,  the  school  children  recognized  as  significant  of  honorable 
and  eventful  achievement,  and  revered  as  embodying  the  reputation  of  their 
country,  as  the  streaming  Stars  and  Stripes  typifies  its  splendor,  has 
departed  from  our  midst,  to  dwell  in  the  firmament  of  memory,  while  ages 
on  ages  unroll  the  illuminated  scroll  of  the  great  days  of  the  Bepublic. 

The  leading  editorial  of  the  newspaper  The  Brooklyn  Daily 
Eagle  of  April  14,  1894,  well  expressed  the  opinion  of  its  many 
well  informed  readers  in  the  following  choice  sentiments,  under 
the  heading  HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM,  as  follows: 

The  army  and  the  Nation  will  note  in  the  death  of  General  Slocum, 
this  morning,  the  loss  of  one  of  their  most  distinguished  historical  mili- 
tary figures.  Congress  will  recognize  that  a man  who  came  to  it  with 
renown  as  a chieftain,  and  who,  in  its  service,  gained  reputation  as  a repre- 
sentative, has  passed  away.  The  State  will  reflect  that  the  most  celebrated 
of  her  sons  in  the  war  for  the  Union  is  no  more.  The  military  and  civic 
societies  to  which  he  belonged  will  truly  declare  that  their  most  illustrious 
member  has  passed  away. 

Only  secondarily  in  any  of  these  respects  will  the  man  who  died  this 
morning  be  suggested  to  Brooklyn.  They  were  respects  that  fitted  the 
man  in  perspective.  To  the  people  of  this  town  the  man  was  a citizen,  a 
neighbor,  a voter,  and  an  incumbent  of  business  and  public  trusts.  Here 
he  was  also  known  as  a husband,  a parent,  a grandfather,  a friend,  a con- 
fidant. Brooklyn  had  to  do  with  his  personality.  His  achievements  framed 
him  to  the  rest  of  the  world. 

The  difference  was  great.  It  did  not  reduce  his  fame  here.  It  simply 
here  made  his  fame  a property  wffiich  he  and  his  townsmen  set  aside  when 


TESTIMONIAL  OF  BROOKLYN  DAILY  EAGLE  357 


they  met.  He  never  paraded  it.  They  never  needed  it  in  their  relation  to 
him  or  in  their  association  with  him.  There  never  was  a great  soldier  who 
bore  himself  in  peace  with  less  recurrence  to  his  record.  The  town  knew 
that  in  him  it  could  boast  a compeer  of  Grant,  Sherman,  and  Sheridan. 
It  also  knew  that  boasting  was  not  his  liking  or  his  habit.  The  man ’s 
modesty  and  the  city’s  practicality  a little  disadvantaged  the  current  esti- 
mate of  General  Slocum. 

Those  in  whom  the  war  did  not  move  as  a fact  in  which  they  took  part 
— especially  those  born  or  matured  since  the  war  ended — found  it  not 
always  easy  to  account  for  the  world-wide  reputation  of  the  man  as  a 
matter  in  relation  with  his  plain,  homespun,  every-day  bearing  with  them. 
The  only  really  great  soldier  of  the  war  among  us,  he  was  the  least  military 
man  here.  A great  commander  of  great  armies  and  the  victor  in  tremendous 
battles,  he  was  locally  dwarfed  on  display  occasions  by  not  a few  whom 
he  so  outclassed  in  every  substantial  regard  that  they  ought  not  to  be 
named— and  shall  not  be — when  he  is.  This  was  as  he  would  have  it.  He 
had  only  contempt  for  professional  soldiers,  as  he  had  only  affectionate 
regard  for  soldiers  by  profession.  With  Howard,  Langdon,  Swayne,  and 
Porter  he  was  as  friendly,  in  their  character  of  warriors  in  reality,  as  he 
was  with  William  Marshall,  William  J.  Coombs,  Henry  E.  Jones,  and  his 
few  other  close  civilian  friends  here. 

The  shyness  and  reserve  that  made  his  merits  under-appraised  in  life 
will  convert  to  high  value  now  that  he  is  dead.  They  were  real.  The  cheap 
silver  of  display,  the  gilt  tinsel  of  uniform,  epaulettes,  cockade,  buttons, 
sword  and  sash  and  plumes  and  the  like,  distinguished,  or  at  least  charac- 
terized, quite  different  men.  He  was  the  gold  of  soldiership  and  of  citizen- 
ship. They  were  the  scum  of  war  and  the  froth  of  peace. 

Long  Brooklyn’s,  he  is  History’s  now  and  Fame’s.  It  is,  therefore, 
due  to  say  that  the  former  President  of  the  Crosstown  Eailroad  Company 
was  the  man  whose  vote  decided,  and  whose  valor  held  Gettysburg  as  the 
pivotal  battle-ground  in  the  war  between  the  States.  The  citizen  who 
devised  for  his  son  a control  in  the  Smith  and  Jay  Street  and  Coney 
Island  trolley  line  was  the  captor  of  Atlanta.  The  some  time  head  of  the 
Department  of  City  Works  commanded  one  of  the  two  armies  that  Sherman 
lead  to  the  Sea.  The  quiet  and  neighborly  occupant  of  the  frame  house 
on  Clinton  Avenue  was  the  hero  of  Bentonville,  who  closed  the  long  chase 
of  Joe  Johnston  with  a terrific  whipping  of  him  in  a stand-up  fight  against 
great  odds.  The  quiet  member  who  so  easily  managed  the  interests  of 
the  Brooklyn  Club  awhile  ago  was  the  military  governor  of  an  immense 
province  washed  by  the  Mississippi  and  the  ocean. 

These  contrasts  were  little  appreciated  here  at  times,  for  when  Slocum 
came  to  Brooklyn  he  resumed  the  modest  role  of  citizen  which  he  filled 
in  Syracuse  before  he  went  afield.  He  sheathed  his  sword  down  South,  and 
never  bared  it  for  the  eyes  of  vanity  or  for  the  applause  of  the  multitudes 
up  North.  He  put  on  plain  clothes  and  a plain  life.  Occasionally  he  would 


358 


GEN.  HENRI  W.  SLOCUM,  DECEASED 


reappear  in  Ms  historical  character,  but  it  would  be  with  Grant,  Sherman, 
Hancock,  and  such  men,  on  occasions  replete  with  friendly  reminiscence 
and  destitute  of  spectacle. 

He  went  to  Congress,  he  accepted  local  place,  he  acted  with  his  party, 
or  with  citizens  against  it,  entirely  in  his  capacity  and  on  Ms  right  as  a 
citizen,  and  in  none  of  these  matters  did  he  solicit  or  relish  support  on  the 
ground  of  his  military  service.  He  regarded  that  service  too  highly  to 
market  it  in  or  for  any  other.  For  those  who  did  market  their  military 
service  as  a make-weight  or  make-place  in  politics  his  contempt  was  con- 
stant. Before  the  war  he  went  to  the  Assembly,  and  was  elected  Treasurer 
of  Onondaga  County.  Before  that  he  was  graduated  from  West  Point; 
but  the  idea  of  being  a soldier  in  peace  or  of  being  a civilian  in  war  was 
repugnant  to  him,  while  the  notion  of  playing  both  roles  at  once  was 
simply  intolerable  to  him. 

He  went  to  West  Point  from  liking  for  military  science.  He  served 
long  enough  to  repay  the  government’s  educational  claim  on  him.  He 
then  studied  for  the  bar,  practiced  law,  and  represented  his  fellow  citi- 
zens in  the  offices  they  chose  him  to  fill.  When  the  Union  was  attacked 
he  sought  military  service  again  and  took  what  was  first  offered.  The 
government’s  claim  was  an  ever  renewable  one  for  cause  to  him.  The  army 
record  of  no  man  was  better.  He  was  never  relieved.  He  was  never  super- 
seded. In  command  he  was  never  surprised  or  defeated.  No  complaint 
was  ever  justly  made  of  him  by  others  or  of  others  by  him.  He  w7as  re- 
peatedly promoted,  and  in  every  instance  for  gallantry  and  success  on  the 
field.  With  natures  and  capacities  as  different  as  those  of  McDowell,  Mc- 
Clellan, Burnside,  Stanton,  Hooker,  Schofield,  Thomas,  McPherson,  Meade, 
Grant,  Sherman,  Sheridan,  Logan,  and  Lincoln,  he  got  on  equally  well.  He 
served  and  was  served  splendidly.  He  followed  and  led  grandly.  He 
obeyed  and  commanded  and  planned  admirably.  His  was  the  most  even 
and  progressive  success  of  any  Northern  chieftain.  The  war  done,  he  left 
the  army  as  absolutely  as  he  had  identified  himself  with  it. 

It  was  inevitable  that  abilities  and  availabilities  such  as  his  would  be 
recurred  to  by  politicians.  Their  recurrence  to  them  cannot  be  charged 
to  him.  He  did  nothing  to  stimulate  it.  He  did  much  to  bring  the  effort 
to  naught.  He  had  been  a Republican  before  the  wrar.  In  the  war  he  was 
politically  nothing.  At  the  close  of  the  war  preferment  waited  on  Re- 
publican soldiers.  lie  coolly  became  a Democrat.  That  party  ran  him 
for  Secretary  of  State.  He  was  in  command  at  Vicksburg  when  he  was 
nominated  at  Syracuse.  None  on  his  ticket  was  successful,  but  his  object  of 
staying  or  reducing  the  tide  of  reproach  unjustly  running  against  Northern 
Democrats  was  accomplished  so  far  as  the  instance  of  a soldier  of  his  re- 
nown porclaiming  his  adhesion  to  that  party  could  do  so.  He  could  have 
been  the  Republican  instead  of  the  Democratic  candidate  that  very  year 
for  that  very  office,  but  he  elected  to  become  a Democrat  for  causes  that 
took  political  pacification  and  not  personal  success  into  account.  He  always 
remained  a Democrat,  but  he  reserved  the  often  used  right  to  oppose  unfit 


TESTIMONIAL  OF  BROOKLYN  DAILY  EAGLE  359 


candidates  and  oppressive  organizations  and  their  despotic  policy  within 
that  party. 

Twice  the  governorship  nomination  could  have  been  his  by  stooping  to 
the  mud.  Unaffectedly  he  wanted  it  for  the  power  for  good  it  had  in  it. 
Besides,  it  was  on  both  occasions  the  apparent  prelude  to  the  Presidency. 
But  he  had  never  stooped  in  the  past.  The  fact  was  certain  that  he  would 
not  stoop  in  the  future.  Politicians,  therefore,  could  form  no  union  on 
his  name  that  was  not  chilled  by  apprehension.  None  wasi  on  that  account 
formed.  The  General  came  to  regard  the  freedom  he  retained,  to  have  in  it 
more  happiness  than  the  function  he  escaped  It  is  questionable  that  the 
organization  here,  as  it  then  was  and  still  is,  could  have  commanded  the 
nomination  of  a messenger  from  a State  convention  or  of  a doorkeeper 
from  a National  convention  of  the  Democracy.  It  was  certain  that  the 
only  luster  its  men  won  was  due  to  their  speculation  in  the  name  of  the 
man  who  had  repeatedly  defied  them  on  their  own  ground,  and  who  con- 
sistently despised  them,  as  well  as  defied  them,  when  they  sought  to 
harass  or  hopple  him. 

No  review  of  the  General’s  political  career  would  either  be  complete  or 
candid  that  omitted  to  note  his  defection  from  Cleveland,  or  his  apparent 
support  of  Hill  for  President,  and  of  Chapin  for  Governor.  He  erred  in 
both  instances.  The  provocation  to  the  first  error  was  quite  as  chargeable 
to  Cleveland  as  on  any  one  else.  President  Cleveland  and  the  General 
misunderstood'  one  another.  The  misunderstanding  was  increased  by 
those  who  had  in  its  increase  a reason  which  neither  man  perceived  nor 
shared.  Mr.  Cleveland’s  first  administration  carefully  avoided  recognition 
of  General  Slocum's  position  in  affairs.  Nevertheless,  the  General  loyally 
supported  him  for  re-election  in  1S8S. 

In  1891  the  General  took  part  in  the  Chapin  movement  for  Governor, 
but  his  heart  was  not  in  it.  Neither  was  it  in  the  movement  for  Hill  in 
1892  for  President.  He,  however,  realized  that  in  both  movements  he  was 
repaying  efforts  that  had  been  put  forth  for  him,  and  that  those  ef- 
forts had  been  put  forth  by  men  whom  he  had  not  hesitated  here  often  to 
oppose.  Gallantry,  as  well  as  gratitude,  was  appealed  to  by  these  facts. 
The  consciousness  that  he  was  engaged  in  the  impossible  was  his  in  both 
instances.  It  did  not  affect  the  claim  laid  on  his  honor.  He  hesitated  not 
to  go  down  with  those  who  had  dared  the  same  fate  on  his  own  behalf. 
The  facts  which  qualified  his  relation  to  Democratic  reform  did  credit 
to  his  sense  of  manliness  and  appreciation.  Success  based  on  the  forget- 
fulness of  obligation  was  not  coveted  by  him. 

But  all  that  is  past.  It  ceased  to  have  a share  in  his  attitude  toward 
the  Federal  administration,  or  in  its  attitude  toward  him.  The  Eagle 
has  the  pleasure  of  believing  that  it  brought  them  together.  The  zeal  with 
which  the  General  sustained  the  President’s  efforts  to  make  the  pension  roll 
a roll  of  honor  was  shown  in  these  columns.  He  was  most  gratified  by 
the  selection  of  his  friend,  General  Lochren,  as  Commissioner  of  Pensions. 
His  letters  to  the  Eagle,  and  other  expressions  of  a less  public  character, 


360 


GEN.  HENRY  W.  SLOCUM,  DECEASED 


were  followed  by  a dissipation  of  all  causes  of  difference  between  the 
Federal  administration  and  himself.  The  tender  of  high  evidences  of  its 
consideration  was  declined  by  him,  in  a way  at  once  to  show  his  apprecia- 
tion and  his  inveterate  resolve  to  maintain  himself  in  citizenship  alone 
for  the  residue  of  his  life. 

It  is  not  unsatisfying  to  know  that  he  put  away  resentments  when  he 
put  away  ambitions.  He  resolved  political  disappointments  into  factors 
that  enhanced  his  military  fame,  by  making  it  stand  in  the  shadow  of  no 
equal  civic  preferments,  lie  lived  and  died  among  his  kindred,  his  friends 
and  his  books  by  him  loved  almost  equally  well.  Few  greater  soldiers  of 
America  preceded  him.  None  so  great  has  survived  him.  He  was  getting 
lonely,  for  his  peers  had  answered  to  roll-call  on  the  other  shore. 

Yet  he  was  not  old,  as  age  is  rated  in  these  times.  It  seems  not  long 
ago  when  Sumter  was  fired  on.  The  veteran  who  died  at  sixty-seven  to- 
day, was  but  thirty-four  then,  and  he  wrote  his  name  with  his  sword 
among  the  immortals  before  he  was  thirty-nine.  He  came  to  Brooklyn  as, 
historically,  the  most  illustrious,  and  personally  the  most  modest,  of  her 
citizens  in  that  year.  Here  life  and  death  have  come  to  those  he  loved. 
Here  in  turn  death  now  has  come  to  him.  Here  his  service  solidified  to 
history,  and  his  ambitions  dissolved  into  forgotten  dreams.  Here  were 
the  companions  he  cherished,  not  lost,  but  gone  before.  Here  are  the 
companions  who  cherished  him,  and  who  number  him  among  their  treasuries 
of  memory.  The  world  knows  him  as  great.  The  Nation  knows  him  as 
one  of  its  preservers.  The  city  wTould  rather  know  him  as  simply  one  of 
her  sons,  and  world  and  Nation  can  find  their  estate  in  him  of  conqueror 
uncoveted  by  those  who  loved  him  in  the  better  relation  of  citizen,  towns- 
man, neighbor  and  friend.  Hail,  and  farewell! 


CHAPTER  LIY 

Public  Memorials  on  Land  and  Sea 

Immediately  following  the  decease  of  General  Slocum  the 
surviving  members  of  the  New  York  Monuments  Commission  for 
the  Battle-field  of  Gettysburg  held  a meeting  and,  with  warm 
preamble  and  resolutions  they  expressed  the  high  esteem  in 
which  they  had  held  him,  and  their  sense  of  bereavement  in  his 
loss. 

The  10th  of  December,  1894,  the  Common  Council  of  the 
City  of  Brooklyn  adopted  a resolution  petitioning  the  State 
Legislature  to  erect  a befitting  statue  of  the  great  soldier  at 
Gettysburg. 

The  Monuments  Commission  drafted  a bill  providing  for 
the  expenditure  by  the  State  of  New  York  of  $25,000  for  an 


PUBLIC  MEMORIALS  ON  LAND  AND  SEA  361 


equestrian  statue  of  its  deceased  liero  on  the  Battle-field  of  Get- 
tysburg. This  bill  was  introduced  in  the  State  Senate  February 
5,  1895,  by  Senator  John  Raines  and  it  was  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Finance.  Senator  Raines  introduced  a similar  bill 
January  23,  1896.  This  bill  was  subjected  to  some  amendments 
the  last  of  March  and,  April  4th.  it  became  a law.  The  latter 
part  of  April  a committee  of  fourteen  members  of  the  Legislature, 
including  the  presiding  officers  of  both  bodies,  was  chosen  for  the 
purpose  of  visiting  the  battle-field,  selecting  the  site  for  the  pro- 
posed statue,  and  for  the  inspection  of  the  monuments  already 
erected  by  the  Commission.  This  Legislative  Committee  per- 
formed these  duties  May  1-3,  1896. 

Survey  of  the  ground  was  duly  made,  a map  was  traced  ac- 
cordingly and,  upon  its  presentation  before  the  National  Park 
Commission,  and  the  Secretary  of  War  January  19,  1899,  they 
endorsed  on  this  map  their  approval  of  the  site  and  arrange- 
ment. 

Sculptors  near  and  far  soon  learned  of  the  invitation  ad- 
vertised for  sketches  of  models  and,  in  April,  1897,  ten  pictures 
of  models  by  nine  sculptors  were  set  up  in  a large  room  ad- 
joining tliei  office  of  the  Commission  at  Albany  for  the  examina- 
tion of  all  interested  parties.  These  sketches  were  discussed  in 
every  part,  and  adversely  criticised  to  the  degree  of  the  rejection 
of  all  of  them.  Up  to  the  time  of  June  15,  1897,  eighteen  other 
sketches  of  models  from  seventeen  sculptors  known  only  by  num- 
bers, were  opened  for  examination. 

The  work  chosen  by  the  Commission  and  their  chosen  critics 
was  ascertained  to  be  that  of  Edward  C.  Potter,  after  five  sculp- 
tors had  each  presented  full  plaster  model  about  one-and-a-half 
life  size.  The  pedestal,  to  support  Mr.  Potter’s  work  in  bronze, 
was  designed  by  the  engineer  and  secretary  of  the  Commissioners, 
A.  J.  Zabriskie;  and  the  equestrian  statue,  its  pedestal,  and 
foundation,  were  completed  and  assembled  in  due  time. 

The  date  of  September  19,  1902,  was  settled  upon  for  the 
dedication  of  this  statue.  The  Legislature  appropriated  twelve 
thousand  and  five  hundred  dollars  for  the  transportation  to  and 
from  the  dedicatory  exercises  of  about  fifty  survivors  of  each  of 
the  New  York  Regiments  which  served  under  General  Slocum  in 
the  Xllth  and  XXth  Corps  which  aggregated  nineteen  regiments 


362 


GEN.  HENRY  W.  SLOCUM,  DECEASED 


of  infantry  and  five  batteries  of  artillery.  The  survivors  of 
General  Slocum’s  original  regiment,  the  Twenty-seventh  New 
• York,  were  also  included  in  the  invitation.  Arrangements  were 
made  whereby  these  venerable  surviving  soldiers  might  be  housed 
for  the  night  near  the  monument  in  tents  shipped  from  Wash- 
ington for  that  purpose.  The  Seventh  Regiment  of  the  New 
York  National  Guard  with  its  band  of  music  served  as  escort  to 
Governor  Benjamin  B.  Odell,  Junior,  and  they  encamped  nearby. 

The  weather  being  auspicious,  the  dedicatory  exercises  were 
largely  attended,  and  the  full  spirit  of  respect  for  the  honored 
dead  interred  nearby,  as  well  as  high  regard  and  due  honor  for 
the  memory  of  the  departed  great  commander,  pervaded  the 
throngs  of  thousands  of  people,  including  the  dignitaries  of  New 
York,  Pennsylvania,  and  other  States. 

The  dedicatory  program  was  impressive  throughout,  name- 
ly: Music,  Seventh  New  York  Regiment  National  Guard  Band. 
Prayer,  by  Rev.  W.  T.  Pray,  D.  D.  Address  by  General  Daniel 
E.  Sickles,  U.  S.  A.,  Chairman.  Music,  by  the  Second  U.  S. 
Cavalry  Band.  Unveiling  of  Monument  by  Governor  B.  B. 
Odell.  Major-General’s  salute  of  thirteen  guns  by  the  Fourth 
U.  S.  Battery.  Address,  by  Governor  Benj.  B.  Odell,  Jr.  Ad- 
dress by  Governor  William  E.  Stone.  Music,  by  the  Second 
U.  S.  Cavalry  Band.  Address  by  Governor  Franklin  Murphy. 
Oration  by  General  James  C.  Rogers.  Music  by  the  Seventh  N. 
Y.  Regt.  Band.  Oration  by  Colonel  Archie  E.  Baxter.  Music  by 
the  Seventh  N.  Y.  Regt.  Band.  Benediction  by  Rev.  Joseph 
Twitchell,  D D.  Parting  Salute  by  the  Fourth  United  States 
Battery. 

The  Reverend  Doctor  Pray  was  a member  of  both  the 
Seventy-eighth  and  the  One  hundred  and  second  New  York  Vol- 
unteer Infantry  Regiments.  His  prayer  was  both  eloquent  and 
appropriate. 

< The  address  of  General  Sickles  gracefully  welcomed  the 
more  than  one  thousand  of  General  Slocum’s  surviving  men  who 
fought  so  nobly  and  successfully  under  his  leadership.  He  an- 
nunciated many  interesting  and  valuable  historical  items  of 
Gettysburg  and  other  battle-fields  in  part  as  follows : 

“More  than  a million  people  had  visited  Gettysburg  during 
the  first  nine  years  of  its  possession  as  a National  Cemetery. 


EQUESTRIAN  STATUE  AT  GETTYSBURG  363 


More  than  four  hundred  graceful  memorials  had  already  (1902) 
been  erected.  No  other  battle-field  on  earth  is  so  consecrated 
by  loving  tokens  of  remembrance.  There  are  (in  1902)  more 
soldiers’  monuments  in  the  United  States  of  America  than  have 
ever  been  erected  in  all  the  other  parts  of  the  world.  New  York 
State  took  precedence  on  this  field  from  the  first  gun  fired,  the 
first  Union  soldier  to  fall,  in  the  largest  number  of  Union  soldiers 
engaged,  and  in  the  losses,  numbering  6,707,  more  than  thirty 
per  cent  of  the  total  losses  in  the  Union  Army  on  this  field.  New 
York  regiments  and  batteries  fought  in  every  division  but  one 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  which  fought  this  battle.  New  York 
has  erected  on  this  battle-field  (up  to  1902)  eighty-six  regimental 
and  battery  monuments,  besides  the  magnificent  State  Memorial 
to  our  dead  who  lie  buried  in  yonder  National  Cemetery,  and  be- 
sides this  equestrian  statue  to  General  Slocum.  Continuing, 
he  said : 

“General  Slocum’s  terse  sentence  ‘Stay  and  Fight  it  Out’ 
was  the  ad\rice  given  by  the  Council  of  War  to  General  Meade 
‘who  was  not  satisfied  with  his  position  at  Gettysburg.’  The 
Army  of  the  Potomac  did  ‘ Stay  and  Fight  it  Out ; and  the  vic- 
tory gained  is  the  best  comment  that  can  be  made  on  Slocum’s 
judgment.  ’ 

“I  am  thankful  to  have  been  spared  to  come  here  to-day  to 
assist  in  the  dedication  of  this  monument  to  my  comrade  and 
friend,  the  foremost  soldier  New  York  sent  to  the  field  during 
the  Civil  War.  Fortunately,  he  was  one  of  the  few  of  our  com- 
manders who  had  unbounded  confidence  in  our  volunteers ; there- 
fore he  never  failed.  We  wrere  associated  in  four  campaigns  of 
the  Army  of  the.  Potomac.  We  were  both  successively  regiment- 
al, brigade,  division,  and  corps  commanders. 

“General  Slocum  never  lost  a color  or  a gun.  Although 
his  voice  will  never  again  be  heard  by  his  beloved  comrades,  this 
heroic  figure  will  stand  for  ages  to  come,  as  a type  of  an 
American  commander,  modest,  resolute,  sagacious,  brave.” 

Governor  Odell,  of  New*  York,  in  his  address  emphasized  the 
underlying  principle  of  equality,  of  right,  and  justice,  as  the 
actuating  and  inspiring  motive  of  the  Civil  War.  “In  the 
patriotic  general  whose  monument  we  dedicated  to-day,  was 
found  one  of  those  sturdy  men  who  knew  not  only  duty  but 


Near  View  of  the  Equestrian  Statue  of  Major-General  Slocum  at  Get- 
tysburg, looking  Northeasterly.  His  right  hand  holds  his  hat.  The  Head- 
quarters Party  at  the  Dedication,  in  Part.  Seated,  from  right  to  left: 
George  Engs  Slocum,  brother;  Clarence  E.  and  Henry  W.,  sons  of  the 
General;  Major  Bradley,  General  Sickles,  Governor  Odell,  General  Webb, 
Major  Eichardson,  and  Adjutant-General  Henry.  September  19,  1902. 


DEDICATION  OF  GETTYSBURG  STATUE 


365 


who  gave  to  its  performance  an  intelligence  which  insured  to 
him  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  associates  and  those  whom 
he  led.  He  and  the  brave  men  of  New  York  and  other  States 
of  the  Union  need  no  monument  to  perpetuate  their  glory.  Monu- 
ments may  be  erected  as  the  Nation’s  tribute,  but  our  country 
and  this  battle-field  stand  as  the  monument  of  their  devotion, 
their  patriotism,  and  their  heroism.” 

The  address  of  Governor  William  E.  Stone  of  Pennsylvania, 
was  brief.  He  said:  “Pennsylvania  is  proud  of  the  fact  that 
the  most  decisive  battle  of  the  war  was  fought  on  her  soil,  and 
while  the  soil  is  the  soil  of  Pennsylvania  it  is  consecrated  by  the 
blood  of  the  bravest  men  of  all  the  States  and  Territories.  This 
battle-field  belongs  to  the  whole  Nation,  because  here  is  where 
the  whole  Nation  was  saved  from  dissolution.  Whether  it  is 
among  nations  or  individuals,  some  decisive  moment  comes  in  the 
lives  of  each.  The  decisive  moment  for  our  Nation  was  here  at 
Gettysburg  in  1863,  and  the  Nation  was  saved.” 

Governor  Franklin  Murphy  of  New  Jersey  also  gave  a brief 
address.  He  said:  “First  and  over  all,  I feel  it  a very  great 
privilege  and  honor  to  be  with  you,  to  join  with  the  represen- 
tatives of  the  great  State  of  New  York  in  doing  merited  honor  to 
my  old  Commander.  If  you  will  look  at  his  face— and  I never 
saw  a more  speaking  face  in  bronze  than  that  yonder — you  will 
understand  why  it  was  that  General  Slocum  easily  won  and 
always  held  the  confidence  and  affection  of  his  soldiers.  They 
never  doubted  him,  and  when  we  saw  him  we  had  the  confidence 
in  him.  A face  like  that  inspires  the  world  over.  I repeat  that 
I am  glad  to  be  here  with  you,  to  join  with  the  citizens  of  New 
York  in  doing  honor  to  that  great  man.  I will  say  just  one  thing 
more.  I went  over  this  field  to-day:  it  was  my  first  visit  since 
the  battle  thirty-eight  years  ago.  I cannot  tell  you  how  it  im- 
pressed me.  Our  regiment  fought  away  over  yonder,  on  the  ex- 
treme Union  right,  and  we  started  this  morning  and  went  over 
the  field  to  the  left  and  I saw  this  magnificent  monument.  As 
I rode  over  the  field  and  the  inspiration  of  that  heroic  day  came 
to  me,  it  seemed  that  I should  go  away  from  here — as  I believe 
you  will  go  away — a better  citizen,  not  alone  from  the  beauty  of 
the  day  and  its  great  attractions,  but  because  of  the  patriotic  in- 
spiration which  on  this  day  inspires  us.” 


366 


GEN.  HENRY  W.  SLOCUM,  DECEASED 


Genera]  James  C.  Kogers,  of  General  Slocum’s  Xllth  Gorps, 
was  the  next  speaker.  He  said  in  part : 

It  was  my  good  fortune  to  have  been  associated  with  General  Slocum 
during  a large  part  of  his  brilliant  military  career,  and  because  I knew  him 
and  loved  him  with  the  enthusiastic  ardor  that  the  young  soldier 
feels  for  the  chief  in  whom  he  trusts  and  believes.  And  General  Slocum 
had  that  in  him,  both  as  officer  and  as  man,  to  inspire  confidence,  admira- 
tion and  love.  There  were  seen,  by  me  and  observed,  a number  of  other 
leading  generals.  And  now,  after  all  this  time  has  passed,  with  the  im- 
pressions of  those  early  days  and  years  strengthened  by  the  judgment  of 
maturer  years,  I can  truthfully  say  that  in  the  combination  of  high -soldierly 
qualities  with  the  purest  patriotism,  in  decision  of  character  and  the  power 
of  quick  adaptation  of  means  to  the  end  to  be  accomplished,  in  coolness 
and  courage,  Henry  W.  Slocum  was,  at  least,  the  peer  of  them  all.  He  had 
all  the  sterling  soldierly  qualities  which  the  others  possessed,  and  some  of 
the  head  and  heart  in  which  the  others  were  deficient. 

The  Xllth  Army  Corps  was  a fine  body  of  troops,  and  it  was  splendidly 
officered  throughout,  and  over  all  and  inspiring  all  with  his  high  soldierly 
qualities  and  calm,  quiet  but  impressive  personality,  was  the  great  leader 
whose  bronze  statue  looks  down  upon  us  to-day.  General  Slocum,  although 
a West  Point  graduate  and  Eegular  Army  Officer,  had  resigned  from  the 
army  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  and  his  mind  had  been 
broadened,  and  humanized  as  it  were,  by  daily  contact  with  all  kinds  of 
men  in  civil  life.  He  knew  and  recognized  better  than  most  officers  who 
had  remained  in  the  army  service  and  whose  duties  had  run  in  the  narrow 
channels  of  army  life  in  time  of  peace,  that  the  young  officers  and  men 
of  volunteer  regiments  of  those  days  were  not  of  the  kind  that  had  been 
in  the  habit  of  enlisting  before  the  war,  but  were  of  the  best  blood  of 
the  land  and  could  be  moulded  and  made  effective  as  soldiers  more  by 
kindness  and  by  the  inspiration  of  duty  than  by  rough  handling  and  com- 
pulsion of  fear. 

In  the  Battle  of  Chaneellorsville,  which  began  so  brilliantly  by  Slo- 
cum only  to  end  in  defeat  from  the  fault  of  others,  Geenral  Slocum  so 
skillfully  handled  his  corps  that  although  it  was  largely  composed  of  regi- 
ments that  had  never  been  under  fire,  it  did  not  waver  when  the  other 
troops  on  its  right  were  swept  away  and  thrown  into  a panic  such  as 
sometimes  comes  to  the  bravest  troops  when  surprised  and  attacked  at  a 
disadvantage.  At  midnight  Slocum  swung  forward  his  corps  at  right 
angles  to  the  line  of  breastworks  which  it  had  built  and  occupied  in  the 
morning,  and  there  at  the  edge  of  the  woods  at  the  foot  of  Ghancellors- 
ville  Hill,  with'  its  1st  Division  just  to  the  left  of  the  famous  Plank  Eoad, 
it  fought  on  that  Sunday  in  May,  after  all  its  former  supports  had  for- 
saken it,  and  only  as  brave  men  fight,  until  the  line  was  crumbling  all 
about  it. 

It  is  perhaps  enough  to  Bay  that  General  Hooker  was  so  impressed 
with  the  coolness  and  skill  displayed  by  General  Slocum  in  that  battle,  and 


DEDICATION  OF  GETTYSBURG  STATUE  367 


the  gallantry  of  his  corps  under  the  most  trying  circumstances,  that  when 
Lee  had  crossed  the  Potomac  and  Hooker  was  following  him  and  plan- 
ning how  to  fight  and  defeat  the  Confederate  Army,  he  decided  to  send 
General  Slocum  with  his  Xlfth  Corps  and  the  ten  thousand  Union  troops 
then  idle  and  useless  at  Harper ’s  Perry,  to  the  upper  Potomac  there  to 
head  off  and  attack  and  defeat  what  was  left  of  Lee ’s  army  after  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  had  fought  and  defeated  it  somewhere  near  Get- 
tysburg and  driven  it  back  towards  the  river.  With  General  Meade’s  ap- 
pointment to  command  in  Hooker ’s  stead,  General  Slocum ’s  assignment  to 
duty  by  Hooker  fell  with  him.  Of  course  it  is  mere  speculation  now,  but 
one  cannot  help  thinking  of  what  would  have  been  the  result  if,  after 
Lee’s  army  had  been  defeated  here,  and  promptly  followed  up,  a cool  de- 
termined fighter  like  General  Slocum  with  twenty  thousand  men  had  been 
at  the  fords  of  the  upper  Potomac  to  head  it  off.  In  that  event,  how  much 
of  that  army  and  its  immense  baggage  train  would  have  recrossed  the 
river  into  Virginia? 

Look  at  General  Slocum ’s  record — not  one  mistake,  not  one  event 
in  those  long  years  of  active  leadership  which  we  would  wish  to  blot  out. 
And  then,  when  the  war  was  over  and  that  for  which  he  fought  is  won,  he 
sheathes  his  sword  and  returns  to  the  peaceful  avocations  of  the  citizen. 
Oh,  life  is  worth  living  when  it  can  furnish  such  record  as  this!  Is  it  any 
wonder  that  the  officers  and  men  whom  he  commanded  trusted  and  believed 
in  him  and  loved  him?  Is  it  any  wonder  that  the  great  State  of  New’ 
York  erects  this  magnificent  monument  to  his  memory  on  this  historic 
battlefield,  which,  as  the  years  go  by,  shall  more  and  more  become  the 
meeca  of  American  patriotism  and  valor?  Here  our  children’s  children 
shall  come  and,  gazing  at  this  statue,  and  others  like  it,  and  these  hun- 
dreds of  monuments  of  regiments  and  batteries,  and  those  thousands  of 
little  nameless  granite  slabs  over  yonder  in  the  cemetery,  they  will  be  in- 
spired with  new  love  for  the  Union  of  these  States,  and  new  reverence  for 
all  that  is  noble  and  beautiful  and  good  in  the  lives  of  those  who  fought 
and  won  our  country’s  victory  here. 

The  Oration  of  Colonel  Archie  E.  Baxter,  of  General  Slo- 
cum’s XXth  Army  Corps,  was  eloquent  and  impressive.  But 
part  of  it  will  be  here  noted,  namely : 

Our  purpose  here  naturally  recalls  recollections  of  the  illustrious 
soldier  who,  at  a crisis  in  this  great  struggle,  averted  irretrievable  dis- 
aster and  made  possible  the  victory  that  marked  the  beginning  of  the  end  of 
the  Confederacy,  and  brought  fresh  renown  to  our  arms  and  a luster  to 
our  flag  that  will  never  fade.  As  boys  we  loved,  trusted  and  were  proud 
of  this  great  captain,  and  confidently  followed  wherever  he  led.  To-day 
as  men,  many  of  us  grown  old  beyond  our  years,  we  are  reverently  gath- 
ered to  honor  his  memory.  Patriotic  New  York  has  been  generous  with 
monuments  and  statues  in  honor  of  her  sons,  but  never  has  she  erected  one 
more  deserved  than  is  this  in  commemoration  of  the  inestimable  service 


368 


GEN.  HENRY  W.  SLOCUM,  DECEASED 


to  his  State  and  Nation  of  her  greatest  soldier  Major-General  Henry 
Warner  Slocum. 

How  like  is  this  bronze  hero  of  to-day  to  the  living  soldier  of  forty 
years  ago!  True,  there  is  no  recognition  in  these  sightless  eyes;  no  greet- 
ing falls  from  these  silent  lips.  The  flag  he  loved,  streaming  gloriously 
here  in  to-day’s  sunlight,  the  strains  of  war-like  music,  the  roar  of  cannon, 
or  the  acclaims  of  those  he  led  to  victory  no  longer  thrill  the  warrior ’s 
heart.  Heedless  of  all,  he  keeps,  in  this  city  of  the  dead,  ceaseless  vigils 
over  the  field  he  fought  to  save. 

And  yet,  as  we  gaze  on  the  grim,  bronze  figure,  forgotten  are  the  years 
that  are  gone.  Once  more  as  boys  we  are  in  the  presence  of  the  general 
we  loved  so  well.  Again  we  see  the  kindly  eyes,  the  grave,  clean-cut 
soldierly  face,  the  erect  martial  figure.  We  see  him  in  the  quiet  of  the 
camp,  dignified  yet  gentle  and  approachable,  modest  and  unassuming.  We 
see  him  with  his  staff,  an  elder  brother  in  his  military  family,  admired, 
honored  and  loved  by  all.  Genial,  warm-hearted  and  familiar,  but  through 
his  innate  dignity  restraining  excesses  and  exacting  the  respect  due  him 
and  his  exalted  station.  We  see  him  in  the  heat  of  battle,  cool,  deliberate, 
and  self-poised  amid  the  wild  excitement,  the  awful  crash  and  roar.  But 
mark  the  change  when  he  discoveres  that  ‘some  one  has  blundered.’  The 
whole  man  seems  transfigured.  There  is  a terrible  intensity  in  the  com- 
pressed lips,  the  blazing  eyes.  It  is  not  the  joy  of  conflict,  or  the  lust  of 
battle;  but  rather  the  outward  mark  of  a relentless  will,  of  a determina- 
tion to  save  what  the  blunder  has  endangered;  to  triumph  for  his  flag 
and  country. 

Let  the  battle  roar,  the  lines  surge  and  waver,  he  never  loses  his  soldi- 
erly grasp  of  the  situation.  No  sudden  reverse  discourages  or  dismays. 
Through  scenes  that  blanch  the  faces  and  unnerve  the  hearts  of  veterans, 
he  stands  unshaken,  noting,  with  eyes  from  which  no  detail  escapes,  the 
shifting  scenes,  and  weighing  with  unerring  skill  the  varying  chances  of 
battle.  Never  needlessly  sacrificing  his  men,  but  relentless  as  death  where 
victory  may  be  won  by  supreme  courage  and  sublime  devotion.  We  see 
him  on  a score  of  historic  fields  stemming  disaster,  wresting  victory  from 
defeat,  winning  new  glory  for  the  flag;  and  from  Manassas  to  Benton- 
ville,  carving  with  his  stainless  sword  his  name  among  the  immortals.  He 
still  lives  in  the  memory  of  his  achievements  and  exalted  manhood. 

It  is  my  privilege  to  speak  to-day  for  the  XXth  Corps;  for  the  living, 
and  for  the  dead,  of  that  army  of  heroes  who,  fresh  from  the  scenes  of 
glorious  conflict  in  the  East,  sought  and  won  new  laurels  on  Western  fields; 
whose  place  in  line  was  always  where  the  battle  raged  the  fiercest;  whose 
flag  was  never  lowered  on  the  field,  whose  bugles  never  sounded  a retreat, 
whose  proud  boast  was  that  they  never  lost  a color  or  a gun;  and  whose 
badges  of  Stars,  like  those  that  blazed  on  the  flag  they  bore,  grew  bright- 
er in  every  battle  from  Chattanooga  to  the  Sea.  We  saw  the  flashes  of 
their  musketry  and  heard  the  roar  of  their  cannon  at  Wauhatchie’s  mid- 
night fight.  We  watched  them  clamber  up  grim  Lookout’s  rugged  side 


DEDICATION  OF  GETTYSBURG  STATUE 


369 


and  plant  Old  Glory  in  triumph  above  the  clouds.  We  beheld  them  sweep 
grandly  across  the  plain  and,  with  ringing  cheers,  storm  the  lowering 
heights  of  Missionary  Ridge.  We  saw  them  between  Chattanooga  and 
Atlanta  when,  in  all  those  hundred  days,  the  minie  balls  never  ceased 
singing  in  ghoillish  glee;  fighting  gloriously,  dying  fearlessly,  always  vic- 
torious and  constantly  displaying  the  splendid  courage,  endurance  and 
devotion  that  made  them  the  equals  of  the  best  soldiers  the  world  has  ever 
seen. 

On  the  2nd  of  September,  1864,  at  the  head  of  the  XXth  Corps, 
General  Slocum  was  the  first  to  enter  and  take  possession  of  Atlanta.  Soon 
after  this  date  preparations  began  for  a most  unusual  campaign,  bold  in 
conception,  brilliant  in  execution,  and  fruitful  in  results,  the  March  from 
the  Mountains  to  the  Sea;  a campaign  that  split  the  Confederacy  in  twain, 
cut  off  the  supplies  upon  which  Lee's  army  relied  for  subsistence,  filled 
with  consternation  the  heart  of  the  great  Confederate  martial  leader  who 
saw  therefrom  that  the  real  objective  of  this  erratic  and  defiant  campaign 
was  a junction  with  Grant,  and  it  made  clear  the  hopelessness  of  further 
resistance,  and  sounded  the  death  knell  of  the  Rebellion.  To  General 
Slocum,  who  so  valiantly  commanded  the  Right  Wing  of  the  Union  Army 
of  the  Potomac  at  Gettysburg,  was  intrusted  the  Left  Wing  of  the  historic 
Army  that  was  to  march  a thousand  miles  without  a friendly  base  of  sup- 
plies. It  was  a post  of  great  importance,  one  that  called  into  full  play  the 
superb  soldierly  traits  of  the  experienced  and  resourceful  general.  This 
army  cut  loose  from  the  outer  world,  the  world  of  its  friends,  and  swung 
boldly  toward  the  Sea,  surrounded  only  by  its  enemies.  As  General  Slocum’s 
command  was  the  first  to  enter  Atlanta  so  it  was  the  first  to  enter  Milledge- 
ville  the  capitol  city;  also  first  to  scale  the  Confederate  works  and  enter 
Savannah  the  chief  port  and  emporium  of  the  greatest  commonwealth  of 
the  enemy.  Continuing  onward,  Slocum’s  mid-winter  march  with  heavy 
wagon  trains  and  artillery  through  the  flooded  swamps  and  across  the  swol- 
len and  bridgeless  rivers  of  the  Carolinas,  surrounded  by  the  ever  increas- 
ing enemy,  was  one  of  General  Slocum’s  greatest  achievements,  and  we 
may  well  say  one  of  the  greatest  achievements  in  history.  At  Averys- 
borough  he  won  a handsome  victory  over  the  Confederate  General  Hardee. 
Xear  Bentonville,  General  .Joe  Johnston  discovering  that  our  two  Wings 
were  moving  by  divergent  routes  massed  his  whole  force  and  entrenched 
them  in  General  Slocum 's  front,  intending  to  surprise  and  crush  his  army 
piecemeal.  But  General  Slocum,  always  alert,  rapidly  deployed  in  line  of 
battle  with  less  than  one-third  of  his  men,  a force  of  less  than  one-third 
of  the  enemy  confronting  him.  While  his  men  were  hurriedly  gathering 
fence  rails  for  barricades,  using  their  tin  plates  and  cups  for  shovels,  the 
shock  of  battle  broke  upon  them.  Out  of  the  woods  in  front  burst  the 
gallant  gray  lines  of  the  enemy.  Their  flags  were  waving  gaily;  sabers 
flashed  and  bayonets  gleamed.  To  our  waiting  lines  fronting  the  onset  it 
was  a thrilling  sight.  On,  though  ploughed  and  torn  by  our  artillery, 
with  the  steadiness  of  veterans  confident  of  success,  they  came.  Midway 
24 


370 


GEN.  HENRY  W.  SLOCUM,  DECEASED 


across  the  field  they  broke  into  a run  and,  with  the  old  Confederate  yell, 
c-ame  sweeping  toward  us.  Suddenly  out  of  the  guns  of  our  ranks  leaped 
sheets  of  living  flame.  Volley  after  volley  ran  flashing,  rattling  and  hiss- 
ing down  our  lines.  Thinned  and  staggered  by  the  withering  fire,  they 
wavered,  broke,  and  went  reeling  back  across  the  field.  Again  and  again 
with  desperate  courage  they  recklessly  charged,  and  though  men  of  the 
blue  and  gray  fell  side  by  side  in  the  fierce  embroilment,  six  times  did  the 
grays  charge  to  be  driven  back  in  confusion  over  a field  thickly  strewn 
with  their  wounded  and  dead.  Then,  as  the  sun  broke  through  the  clouds 
and  the  smoke  of  battle  and  bathed  our  flag  in  a flood  of  glory,  from  our 
triumphal  lines  the  old  Union  cheer  burst  from  the  lips  of  veterans  who, 
in  grim  silence,  had  fought  like  heroes  and  splendidly  won  the  last  battle 
of  the  Confederacy.  This  Battle  of  Bentonville  was  known  as  Slocum’s 
battle.  Here  practically  ended  his  military  career  in  the  field.  The  war 
was  over,  the  Union  saved  and  liberty  was  again  proclaimed  throughout  the 
land. 

General  Slocum ’s  heart  now  turned  longingly  toward  the  pursuits  of 
peace,  and  he  gladly  sheathed  his  sword  forever.  He  had  proved  equal  to 
every  trust  committed  to  him.  His  heart  had  been  untouched  by  intrigue, 
quarreling,  undue  rivalry,  envy,  or  sad  disappointment  of  ambition.  Ap- 
parently unmindful  of  personal  advancement,  he  sought  only  his  country’s 
safety  and  glory.  Heedless  of  all  else  save  personal  honor,  he  was  content 
to  do  his  best,  modestly  and  resolutely  where  duty  called  him,  calm,  strong 
and  fearlessly.  As  a citizen,  though  crowned  with  the  luster  of  great 
achievements,  he  bore  himself  so  meekly  that  there  was  no  vocal  reminder 

from  him  of  the  days  when  his  words  were  so  potent  upon  the  fields  of 

mighty  conflict.  Successful  in  everything  he  undertook,  esteemed,  and 

loved,  he  might  have  gained  the  highest  civil  offices  in  the  State  and  Na- 

tion had  he  but  consented  ‘to  stoop  to  conquer.’ 

Comrades,  we  can  truly  say  to  those  who  slumber,  and  are  monumented, 
here  that  we  have  kept  the  faith.  Best  in  peace. 

Of  the  living,  officers  as  well  as  the  rank  and  file,  we  would  say  to 
the  public,  in  the  name  of  patriotism,  of  loyalty,  and  of  the  flag  they 
yet  bear  and  honor,  criticise  them  less  and  praise  their  valor  and  devotion 
more.  Let  us  as  a people  make  for  our  country  a tithe  of  their  sacrifices, 
and  we  will  awaken  to  a truer  sense  of  the  duties  of  citizenship,  love  our 
country  more  zealously,  advance  with  quickened  strides  the  cause  of  liberty 
and  humanity,  and  prolong  the  days  of  our  Republic’s  greatness  and  glory. 

The  old  soldiers  present,  and  others  of  the  vast  assemblage, 
then  examined  the  monument  of  General  Slocum  in  all  of  its  de- 
tails. It  tvill  be  described  as  follows : Founded  on  concrete 
about  five  feet  thick  from  the  rock  under  ground,  twenty-two  feet 
long  and  sixteen  feet  and  two  inches  wide.  This  concrete  is 
capped  by  dressed  Gettysburg  granite  sixteen  inches  thick,  as  the 


DESCRIPTION  OF  GETTYSBURG  STATUE 


371 


base  for  the  pedestal  which  is  of  granite  from  Barre,  Vermont, 
twenty-one  feet  and  eight  inches  long,  fifteen  feet  and  ten  inches 
wide,  and  sixteen  feet  three  and  a half  inches  high  and  composed 
of  ten  courses  or  layers.  The  bronze  statue,  including  its  base 
or  plinth  also  of  bronze,  is  fifteen  feet  and  six  inches  to  the  top 
of  the  general’s  head.  The  plinth  on  which  the  horse  stands  is 
eleven  feet  nine  and  three-quarters  inches  long,  and  four  feet 
wide.  The  total  cost  was  $29,951.57.  The  amount  appropriated 
for  it  by  the  State  was  $30,000. 

The  bronze  tablets,  one  on  each  side  of  the  granite  pedestal, 
are  each  four  feet,  nine  and  three-quarter  inches  wide  and  three 
feet  ten  and  one-eiglith  inches  high.  The  lettering  on  the  tab- 
let of  the  westerly  side,  shown  in  the  near  engraving,  reads  as 
follows : 

A Star  | Major  General  [ Henry  Warner  Slocum,  U.  S.  V.  | 
1826-1891  J In  Command  of  Right  Wing  | of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  | at  the  | Battle  of  Gettysburg  j July  1,  2,  3,  1863.  j 
"Stay  and  Fight  it  Out”  | Gen.  Slocum  at  Council  of  War  July 
2, 1863.  | Erected  by  the  State  of  New  York,  1902.  [ At  the  lower 
left  hand  corner  of  this  tablet  is  the  Seal  of  the  State  of  New 
York. 

The  lettering  on  the  tablet  of  the  easterly  side  reads  as  fol- 
lows: | Major  General  Henry  Warner  Slocum,  U.  S.  Vols. 
Cadet  U.  S.  Military  Academy  July  1,  1848:  2nd  Lieut.  | First 
Artillery  July  1,  1852:  1st  Lieut.  March  3,  1855.  Resigned  | 
October  31,  1856.  | Col.  27th  N.  Y.  Infantry  May  21,  1861.  Se- 
verely wounded  | Bull  Run  July  21,  1861.  Brig.  Genl  of  Vol- 
unteers August  9,  1861.  j Assigned  to  command  of  2nd  Brigade, 
Franklin’s  Division,  Army  | of  the  Potomac  September  4,  1861, 
and  to  command  of  1st  Division  | 6th  Corps  May  18,  1862.  | Maj. 
GenT  U.  S.  Vols.  July  4,  1862.  Assumed  Command  of  | 12th 
Corps  October  20,  1862.  Temporarily  commanded  the  Right  | 
Wing  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  consisting  of  the  5th,  11th  j 
and  12th  Corps  April  28-30,  1863.  In  Command  of  the  Right  | 
Wing  of  the  Union  Army,  composed  of  the  5th  and  12th  Corps  j 
at  Gettysburg  July  1,  2,  3,  1863.  j Relinquished  command  of 
the  12th  Corps  April  18,  1864  | and  on  April  27,  1864,  assumed 
Command  of  the  Military  District  j of  Vicksburg,  which  he  held 
until  August  14,  1864.  | Assumed  Command  on  the  20th  Corps 


372 


GEN.  HENRY  TP.  SLOCUM,  DECEASED 


August  27,  1864  | and  of  the  Left  Wing  of  Sherman’s  Army, 
known  as  the  Army  of  | Georgia,  November  11,  1864.  Assigned, 
in  orders  dated  June  27,  | 1865,  to  Command  of  the  Department 
of  Mississippi,  | Headquarters  at  Vicksburg,  which  he  held  until 
relieved  September  | 18,  1865,  and  on  September  28,  1865,  Gen’l 
Slocum  Resigned  from  | the  Army  and  was  Honorably  Dis- 
charged. | 

Soon  after  the  decease  of  General  Slocum  some  of  the  lead- 
ing citizens  of  Brooklyn  instituted  a movement  for  the  erection 
in  that  city  of  a fitting  memorial  monument  in  his  honor.  A 
popular  subscription  for  this  purpose  Avas  the  first  thought,  but 
better  counsels  preA7ailed,  and  the  financial  part  was  assumed  by 
the  municipality.  A laAv  Avas  enacted  in  the  year  1895  authoriz- 
ing an  issue  of  bonds  not  to  exceed  $30,000  for  this  purpose. 

The  American  sculptor,  Frederick  MacMonnies,  a native  of 
Brooklyn,  and  at  this  time  with  residence  and  studio  in  Paris, 
Avas  enlisted  in  the  enterprise  by  his  friends  in  Brooklyn ; and  he 
in  due  time  AA7rought  a model  that  Avas  satisfactory  to  all  persons 
AAdio  saAv  the  work.  The  easting  in  bronze  Avas  done  in  Paris 
uuder  the  sculptor’s  supervision,  and  the  statue  Avas  shipped  to 
Brooklyn  late  in  the  year  1902.  Upon  its  receipt  it  was  stored 
for  a considerable  length  of  time  on  what  AA7as  knoAA'n  as  the  East 
Side  Lands,  as  from  various  causes  the  completion  of  the  foun- 
dation and  pedestal  was  much  delayed. 

The  base  of  this  monument  is  nineteen  feet  long  and  eighteen 
feet  Avide.  The  pedestal  is1  granite  from  the  State  of  Maine.  It 
is  surrounded  by  posts  of  the  same  rock  which  are  connected 
by  chains  of  artistically  Avrouglit  bronze.  The  tip  of  the  gen- 
eral’s sword  is  twenty-five  feet  above  the  pavement  around  the 
base  of  the  monument.  It  Avas  erected  at  Eastern  Parkuray 
and  Bedford  Avenue,  Brooklyn  Borough,  New  York  City. 

Memorial  Day,  May  30,  1905,  was  chosen  for  the  dedica- 
tion of  this  memorial.  The  assemblage  on  this  occasion  was  large, 
composed  of  numerous  citizens  and  old  soldiers  from  near  and 
far,  and  embracing  seA’eral  thousand  school  children  in  the  pa- 
rade, a sight  that  always  cheered  General  Slocum's  heart.  The 
municipality  of  NeAv  York  Avas  fully  represented  by  its  officers, 
including  a Commissioner  from  each  of  the  Boroughs  of  Brook- 
lyn, Queens,  Manhattan,  Richmond,  and  the  Bronx. 


DEDICATION  OF  BROOKLYN  STATUE 


373 


THE  EQUESTRIAN  STATUE  OF  MAJOR-GENERAL  HENRY  WARNER  SLOCUM 
Erected  by  tlie  City  of  New  York,  1905,  at  Eastern  Parkway  and  Bedford  Avenue,  Brooklyn  Borough 

Showing  Parade  at  Unveiling 


374 


GEN.  HENRY  W.  SLOCUM,  DECEASED 


The  order  of  exercises  was  as  follows:  Music,  ‘Hail  Co- 
lumbia.’ Invocation,  by  the  Eight  Reverend  Bishop  Frederick 
Burgess.  Presentation  of  the  Statue  by  Commissioner  Michael  J. 
Kennedy  for  the  Boroughs  of  Brooklyn  and  Queens.  Unveiling 
of  Statue  by  Gertrude  Slocum,  who  was  less  than  six  years  of  age, 
daughter  of  Henry  W.,  son  of  General  Slocum.  Acceptance  of 
the  Statue  in  behalf  of  the  City  of  New  York  by  Honorable 
George  B.  McClellan,  Mayor,  formerly  General  Slocum’s  com- 
manding general  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Music,  the  ‘Star 
Spangled  Banner.’  Address  by  Theodore  Roosevelt,  President 
of  the  United  States.117  Benediction  by  the  Right  Reverend 
Bishop  Charles  E.  McDonnell.  Music  ‘America.’  The  Major- 
General’s  Salute  of  thirteen  guns  was  fired  by  soldiers  present 
during  the  time  of  the  dedication.  At  the  close  of  the  cere- 
monies President  Roosevelt  reviewed  the  parade  as  it  passed 
along  the  Parkway. 

It  has  been  the  custom  for  many  years,  if  not  during  the 
history  of  all  mankind,  to  give  the  name  of  a prominent  person- 
age to  children,  and  to  objects,  either  in  honor  of  the  person 
whose  name  was  so  used,  or  to  honor  the  person  or  object  so 
named,  and  probably  from  both  of  these  causes  generally.  Such 
has  been  the  case  with  the  name  of  General  Slocum. 

Probably  one  of  the  most  enduring  objects  that  has  been 
named  to  perpetuate  and  honor  the  memory  of  this  General,  is 
Fort  Slocum,  one  of  the  strongest  fortifications  for  the  protection 
of  the  City  of  New  York.  It  is  situated  on  Davids  Island  which 
is  a little  east  of  the  larger  Glen  Island,  southward  of  the  City 
of  New  Rochelle,  New  York,  and  at  the  narrowing  eastern  part 
of  Long  Island  Sound.  It  is  about  five  miles  north  of  Fort 
Schuyler,  and  six  miles  northward  of  Fort  Totten  on  Willetts 
Point.  The  principal  purpose  of  Fort  Slocum  is  the  protection 
of  the  easterly  entrance  to  the  East  Strait,  generally  known  as 
East  River,  New  York  City. 

The  great  guns  of  Fort  Slocum,  and  their  arrangement,  are 
modern  and  of  the  most  approved  pattern  of  the  artillery  service. 
Every  device  and  agency  known  to  modern  warfare  have  been, 
and  are  yet  being,  mustered  to  render  Fort  Slocum  impregnable. 
Very  large  sums  of  money  and  great  efforts  have  already  been 
expended  by  the  General  Government  for  this  purpose,  and  the 


MEMORIALS  OX  LAND  AXD  SEA 


375 


work  is  yet  in  progress.  Mrs.  Margaret  Olivia  Slocum  Sage, 
widow  of  tlie  late  Russell  Sage,  and  vice-president  of  the  In- 
ternational Woman’s  Auxiliary,  completed  a good  building  in 
tlie  year  3910  for  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  work 
by  permission  of  the  War  Department.  This  building  is  situ- 
ated near  the  barrack  quarters  of  Fort  Slocum  and  it  is  for  the 
benefit  of  the  thousands  of  United  States  Soldiers  who  will  from 
time  to  time  be  here  received,  organized,  drilled,  and  distributed 
for  special  or  general  service  at  other  fortifications,  or  fields. 
Fully  3,700  soldiers  have  been  counted  at  this  building  in  one 
day.  The  police  justice  of  the  nearby  City  of  New  Rochelle  has 
asserted  that,  when  fewer  soldiers  were  brought  to  him  for  dis- 
orderly conduct  he  attributed  the  decrease  to  the  severe  sen- 
tences he  had  inflicted  upon  them ; but  he  later  found  that  their 
better  conduct  was  due  to  the  opening  of  this  Young  Men’s 
building  and  its  wholesome  influence  over  them. 

A large  and  elegant  steamship  was  built  near  New  York 
City  and  was  named  General  Slocum,  the  name  being  placed  so 
prominently  on  its  sides  as  to  be  easily  read  at  long  distance. 
This  dirigible  palace  was  used  solely  to  supply  the  demand  for 
additional  pleasure  and  recreation  excursions  on  the  different 
waters  of  this  city  and  its  neighborhood.  It  became  very  popu- 
lar and,  during  the  years  of  its  use,  it  was  frequently  over- 
loaded by  the  thousands  who  desired  to  patronize  it.  On  June 
15,  1904,  while  carrying  a church  excursion  party  of  1,800  per- 
sons up  the  East  River  or  Strait  a match  or  lighted  cigar  set 
fire  to  some  inflammable  material  of  the  excursionists  and  the 
spread  of  the  flames  was  so  rapid  that  before  the  ship  could  be 
beached  on  the  nearby  North  Brother  Island  the  panic  was  so 
great  that  from  900  to  1,000  or  more  were  crushed,  burned,  or 
drowned. 

A Free  Kindergarten  was  established  in  Brooklyn  Borough 
in  the  year  1894,  and  it  was  named  the  Slocum  Kindergarten  to 
honor  and  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the  General  who  did  so 
much  for  the  children. 

A large  United  States  Transport  ship,  for  carrying  soldiers 
and  army  supplies  during  the  Spanish- American  War  in  1898- 
1899,  was  named  Slocum,  and  she  has  since  borne  the  name. 
She  suffered  injury  on  the  rocks  off  the  east  coast  of  Porto  Rico 


376 


GEN.  HENRY  W.  SLOCUM,  DECEASED 


in  November,  1899,  but  she  was  readily  repaired  and  continued 
her  work  to  the  Philippine  Islands  and  less  distant  ports. 

A large,  strong,  seaworthy  United  States  craft  for  towing 
barges,  dry-docks,  and  disabled  ships  was  also  named  Slocum. 
She  did  good  service  April  18,  1906,  in  taking  a battalion  of  the 
22nd  Infantry,  United  States  Army,  from  .Fort  McDowell  on 
Angel  Island  to  San  Francisco  to  support  the  municipal  au- 
thorities in  their  aiding  the  earthquake  sufferers  there.  She  also 
aided  in  policing  the  city’s  wharf-lines  at  this  time.  This  Tug 
Slocum  also  towred  the  disabled  Transfort  Sheridan  to  and  into 
San  Francisco  Harbor  November  23,  1906,  from  the  rocks  off 
Barber’s  Point,  Hawaiian  Islands — which  service  of  salvation 
brings  to  mind  the  saving  of  the  youth  Sheridan  for  his  brilliant 
career  in  the  United  States  Army  during  the  Civil  War  by  the 
youth  Slocum  aiding  him  to  pass  the  necessary  grades  in  his 
studies  while  they  were  both  cadets  in  the  United  States  Military 
Academy  at  West  Point,  New  York.  See  page  10  of  this  book. 


1st  Ilnd  Illrd 


xnth  and  XXth 


XIVth 


XVIIth 


ARMY  CORPS’  BADGES 


APPENDIX 


377 


APPENDIX 

Deferences  to  Authorities  Consulted : 

1.  History  of  The  Slocums,  Slocumbs,  and  Sloeombs,  in  America,  by 

Charles  Elihu  Slocum,  Volume  I,  Page  80;  Volume  II,  Page  38. 

2.  History  of  the  United  States  Navy,  by  Edgar  S.  Maclay.' 

3.  New  York  in  the  Devolution  as  Colony  and  State,  1898,  published 

by  the  State.  , 

4.  Doll  of  Honor : Names  of  Soldiers  who  died  in  Defense  of  the 

American  Union  and  are  Interred  in  the  National  Cemeteries;  6 
vols.  8 vo,  Washington,  D.  C.,  1869. 

5.  O.  D.,  I,  XI  (Official  Decords,  Series  I,  Volume  XI)  pages  395- 

397) 

6.  Memoirs  of  Dhode  Island  Officers,  by  Hon.  John  D.  Bartlett. 

Stone’s  Dhode  Island  in  the  Debellion.  Woodbury’s  Second 
Dhode  Island  Degiment. 

7.  Letter  of  the  Secretary  of  War  to  the  writer,  1911. 

8.  O.  D.,  I,  XXXII,  I (Part  I),  pages  466,  467.  Also  Part  I.  Vols. 
XII,  XXX,  and  XXXI. 

9.  The  same.  And  the  Photographic  History  of  the  Civil  War,  Volume 

X,  page  314. 

10.  Decords  of  the  Colony  of  New  Plymmouth  in  New  England,  Boston, 

1855. 

11.  North  Carolina  Colonial  Becords,  Vol.  I,  page  316.  Decords  of  the 

Clerk  of  the  Superior  Court,  Edenton ; and  in  the  Capitol  Build- 
ing Baleigh.  Also  No.  1 above. 

12.  Letter  to  the  writer  from  William  Neill  Slocum  of  Los  Angeles,  the 

only  surviving  brother  of  the  General,  1911. 

13.  Address  of  General  O.  0.  Howard  before  Bankin  Post,  Grand  Army 

of  the  Bepublic,  Brooklyn,  April  2 9,  1894. 

14.  Official  Begister  of  the  United  States  Military  Academy,  West  Point, 

New  York,  for  the  Years  1849-1852. 

13.  0.  B.,  Series  I,  Vol.  II,  pp.  383-387.  16.  The  same,  V,  236,  237. 

17.  Prom  Address  in  Brooklyn,  May  4,  1894,  by  Maj.  Wm.  C.  Tracy, 

for  years  member  of  General  Slocum ’s  staff. 

18.  0.  B.,  I,  V,  719. 

19.  Deport  of  the  Organization  and  Campaigns  of  the  Army  of  the  Po- 

tomac, by  Major-General  George  Brinton  McClellan,  New  York, 
1864. 

20.  O.  B.,  I,  XI,  I,  622.  21.  The  same,  Part  II,  pp.  434-436. 

22.  Battles  and  Leaders  of1  the  Civil  War.  The  Century  Co.,  New  York, 

1888.  Four  Volumes. 

23.  O.  B.,  I,  XIX,  I,  P,  1.  24.  The  same,  374-376. 

23.  Colonel  William  P.  Pox,  Albany,  New  York,  1904. 

26.  0.  B.,  I,  XIX,  I,  176.  27.  The  same,  381.  28.  The  same,  133- 

137.  29.  The  same,  XXV,  II,  page  642. 


I 


378 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


30.  The  Campaign  of  Chaneellorsville.  A Strategic  and  Tactical  Study, 

by  John  Bigelow,  Jr.,  Major  U.  S.  Army,  1910. 

31.  Life  of  Major-General  George  G.  Meade,  by  B.  M.  Baclie,  P.  2 60. 

33.  O.  B,  I,  XXV,  I,  page  171. 

33.  Chaneellorsville  and  Gettysburg,  by  General  Abner  Doubleday,  New 

York,  1903. 

34.  0.  B.,  I,  XXV,  I,  pages  674,  771. 

35.  John  Watts  DePeyster,  Frank  Allaben  ed.,  N.  Y.,  1903. 

36.  Medical  Beminiscences  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  by  J.  Letter- 

man,  M.  D.,  Medical  Director. 

37.  O.  B.,  I,  XXV,  I,  730.  38.  The  same,  675.  39.  The  same,  678. 

40.  The  same,  731.  41.  The  same,  675.  42.  The  same, 

682-684.  43.  The  same,  pages  669-672. 

44.  The  Campaign  of  Chaneellorsville,  by  Theodore  A.  Dodge,  United 

States  Army,  Boston,  1881,  page  159. 

45.  O.  B.,  I,  XXVII,  III,  page  192. 

46.  Beminiscences  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-third  Begiment  New 

York  Volunteers,  by  Sergeant  Henry  C.  Morkous. 

47.  General  James  C.  Bogers’  Oration  at  Gettysburg  Monument  Dedi- 

cation, September  19,  1902. 

48.  The  Battle  of  Gettysburg,  B.  K.  Beecliam,  member  of  the  1st 

Army  Corps,  Chicago,  1911. 

49.  James  K.  Hosmer  ’s  Gettysburg,  in  Decisive  Battles  of  America,  Al- 

bert B.  Hart  and  others’  edition. 

50.  O.  B„  I,  XXVII,  I,  pages  825,  759,  73,  74. 

51.  New  York  at  Gettysburg,  3 Vols.  4to,  illustrated.  Published  by  the 

State  in  1900. 

52.  From  General  O.  O.  Howard’s  address  in  Plymouth  Church,  Brook- 

lyn, New  York  City,  April  24,  1894. 

53.  The  American  Encyclopedia,  IS 63,  Vol.  Ill,  page  108. 

54.  O.  B,,  I,  XXVII,  III,  611.  55.  The  same,  I,  XXIX. 

56  Memoirs  of  the  159th  New  York  Begiment  Volunteer  Infantry,  by 
Captain  George  K.  Collins,  1891. 

57.  O.  E.,  I,  XXVII,  I,  758-763.  58.  The  same,  765-770. 

59.  History  of  the  Tenth  Maine  Battalion,  by  Bev.  Leonard  Jordan,  its 

Chaplain,  Portland,  1871. 

60.  O.  B.,  I,  XXIX,  I,  page  156. 

61.  History  of  the  27th  Indiana  Vol.  Inf.,  by  E.  B.  Brown. 

62.  O.  B.,  I,  XXX,  TV,  pages  322,  161,  163. 

63.  History  of  the  14  9th  N.  Y.  Begt..  by  Capt.  G.  K.  Collins. 

64.  O.  E.,  I,  XXXI,  I,  73,  740.  65.  The  same.  66.  The  same. 

Part  IT,  52,  53,  57.  67.  The  same,  409.  68.  The  same,  69, 

70.  69.  The  same,  XIX,  II,  5 83.  70.  The  same,  XXXII,  315. 

71.  The  same,  Part  III,  561,  567-9.  72.  The  same.  73.  The 

same,  I,  XXXTX,  II,  30,  32,  38.  74.  The  same,  XXVI,  I,  96. 
75.  The  same,  XXXIXth,  II,  160.  76.  The  same,  XXXVIII, 

V,  822.'  77.  The  same,  782. 


APPENDIX 


379 


78.  The  Thirty-third  Massachusetts  Regiment,  by  Gen.  Adin  Underwood, 

A.  M.,  Williams  and  Company,  Boston. 

79.  O.  R.,  I,  XXXIX,  II,  355.  80.  The  same,  XXXVIII,  26.  81. 

The  same,  XXXIX,  III,  106.  82.  The  same,  162,  169,  170. 
83.  The  same,  202.  84.  The  same,  347-8.  85.  The  same, 

377-8.  86.  The  same,  859.  87.  The  same,  892.  88.  The 

same  ,680.  89.  The  same,  713,  714.  90.  The  same,  I,  XLIV, 
22-25. 

91.  Memoirs  of  General  William  T.  Sherman,  Volume  II. 

92.  O.  R.,  I,  XLIV,  719-20.  93.  The  same.  94.  The  same,  73  7-8. 

95.  The  same,  800. 

96  Sherman 's  Memoirs  in  the  Light  of  the  Official  Records,  by  H.  V. 
Boynton,  Cincinnati,  1875. 

97.  O.  R.,  I,  XLIV,  826.  98.  The  same,  827.  99.  The  same,  I, 

XL VII,  I,  page  53  6. 

100.  The  Last  Chance  of  the  Confederacy,  by  General  Alexander  C.  Mc- 

Clurg,  The  Atlantic  Monthly,  September,  1882. 

101.  O.  R..  I,  XL VII,  I,  pages  47,  25,  2 6. 

102.  Military  Reminiscences  of  the  Civil  War,  by  Major-General  Jacob 

D.  Cox,  of  Ohio. 

103.  O.  R.,  I,  XLVII,  III,  32,  43,  54,  75.  104.  The  same,  Part  I, 

419-425.  105.  The  same,  Part  III,  213. 

106.  Maj.  Gen.  Carl  Schurz’s  Reminiscences,  Volume  III. 

107.  O.  R.,  I,  XLVII,  III,  435.  108.  The  same,  454-5.  109.  The 

same,  47S.  110.  The  same,  630,  631.  111.  The  same,  Series 

III,  Vol.  V,  page  98.  112.  The  same,  134. 

113.  Sydney  Reid  in  Harper’s  Weekly  soon  after  General  Slocum’s  de- 

cease, April  14,  1894. 

114.  The  Photographic  History  of  the  Civil  War,  1911. 

115.  The  Story  of  the  Great  March,  by  Brevet  Major  George  Ward  Nichols, 

26th  edition,  New  York,  1S66. 

116.  Sherman;  Memorial  Sketch.  Government  Print.  1904. 

V117.  Presidential  Addresses  Volume  IV,  Ihe  Review  of  Reviews  Co. 

118.  O.  R.,  Series  I,  Volume  XLIV,  page  274. 


380 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


SOLDIEES  BY  STATES,  REGIMENTS  AND  BATTERIES 

Under  the  more  constant  command  of  Major-General  Slocum  are  given 
below.  Many  other  regiments,  and  parts  of  regiments,  were  added  to  this 
list  frequently  to  take  the  places  of  those  whose  terms  of  enlistment  had 
expired,  and  who  were  killed  or  disabled  in  battles,  or  by  diseases.  There 
were  frequently  so  much  change  in  companies  as  well  as  in  regiments,  that 
full  account  could  not  be  kept  for  this  list  of  the  incoming  men  by  transfer 
or  direct  enlistment.  For  names  of  officers,  see  the  General  Index. 
Alabama.  First  Cavalry,  page  222,  of  this  book. 

Connecticut.  Infantry:  5th,  62,  121,  223.  20tli,  62,  121,  180,  224. 
Delaware.  Third  Infantry,  page  60. 

Illinois.  Artillery:  Light,  1st,  147,  151,  Battery  C,  223,  Battery  D, 
190;  2nd,  189,  Battery  F,  190,  Battery  I,  223,  Battery  K,  190.  Cavalry: 
4th,  190;  5th,  189;  11th,  189,  190;  12th,  62.  Infantry:  9th,  mounted, 
222;  11th,  189;  16th;  223;  17th,  189;  20th,  190;  24th,  223;  28th,  190; 

29th,  190;  31st,  190;  32nd,  190;  34th,  223;  41st,  190;  45th,  190;  46th, 

189;  53rd,  190;  60th,  223;  72nd,  189;  76th,  189;  78th,  223;  81st,  189; 

82nd,  224;  85th,  223;  95th,  189;  96th,  161;  101st,  224;  102nd,  224;  104th, 

223;  105th,  224;  110th,  223;  125th,  223;  129th,  224. 

Indiana.  Artillery:  Light,  19th  Battery,  223.  Infantry:  22nd, 
223;  23rd,  190;  27th,  62,  121,  125,  150;  33rd,  150,  224;  35th,  160;  38th, 
223,  265;  42nd,  223;  53rd,  190;  58th,  Pontoniers,  223;  70th,  224;  74th, 
223;  75th,  223;  82nd,  223;  85th,  224;  87th,  223;  88th,  223;  101st,  223. 

Iowa.  Artillery:  First  Battery,  159.  Cavalry:  Fourth,  188.  In- 
fantry: Third,  190. 

Kansas.  First  Mounted  Infantry,  189. 

Kentucky.  Artillery:  Second  Battery,  150.  Infantry:  8th,  160;  18th, 

223. 

Maine.  Artillery:  First  Light,  6th  Battery,  63.  Cavalry:  First,  62, 
63.  Infantry:  Fifth,  16,  20,  22,  26,  33,  45,  49;  10th,  62,  121. 

Maryland.  Artillery:  First  Battery,  45,  49,  51.  Cavalry;  First,  62; 
Purnell  Legion  both  Cavalry  and  Infantry;  60.  Infantry:  Third,  62,  120; 
Fifth,  60. 

Massachusetts.  Artillery:  1st  Battery  A,  22,  33,  49.  Inrantry:  2nd, 
121,  125,  150,  224;  23rd,  205,  224. 

Michigan.  Artillery:  First,  Light,  Battery  D,  190.  Cavalry:  First, 
62.  Fifth,  125.  Infantry:  First,  Detachment  of  Engineers,  222;  10th, 
223;  13th,  223;  14th,  223;  19th,  147,  151,  224;  21st,  223. 

Minnesota.  Artillery:  First,  190.  Infantry:  Second,  223. 
Mississippi.  Marine  Brigade:  First  Cavalry  Battalion,  189;  First 
Mounted  Infantry,  189.  Ram  Fleet,  189.  Garrison  of  Fort  Vicksburg, 
189.  Most  of  these  soldiers  were,  probably,  from  other  States. 

Missouri.  Artillery:  First,  Light,  Battery  C,  190;  Battery  M,  189. 
Cavalry:  10th,  189.  Infantry:  7th,  189;  23rd,  223;  30th,  189. 


SOLDIERS  BY  STATES,  REGIMENTS,  BATTERIES  381 


New  Jersey.  Artillery:  First,  Battery  A,  32,  34,  49,  51.  Infantry: 
First,  33,  49;  Second,  33,  49;  Fourth,  32,  33;  13th,  62,  121,  150,  179,  224; 
33rd,  224. 

New  York.  Artillery:  1st,  Battery  I.  159,  224;  Battery  K,  62;  Bat- 
tery M,  62,  74,  121,  129„  224.  Cavalry:  6tli,  55;  8th,  68.  Infantry:  10th, 
27;  16th,  16,  20,  22,  28,  33,  45,  49;  17th,  223;  18th,  32,  49;  26th,  17; 
27th,  13,  16,  20,  22,  26,  32,  33,  45,  49;  31st,  32,  33,  49;  32nd.  32,  49;  60th, 
62,  106,  121,  151,  176,  177,  224;  78th,  62,  106,  121,  150,  177;  102nd,  62, 
106,  121,  151,  177,  224;  107th,  62,  121,  150,  179,  180,  224;  119th,  224; 
121st,  46;  123rd,  121,  223;  134tli,  224;  136th,  224;  137th,  62,  106,  121, 
151,  153,  172,  224;  140th,  179;  141st,  224;  143rd,  224;  145th,  62,  121, 
180;  149th,  62,  106,  121,  151,  172,  173,  176,  224;  150th,  121,  150;  224; 
154th,  224. 

Ohio.  Artillery:  1st,  Battery  C,  224,  Battery  K,  159;  3rd,  190;  7th, 
189;  8th,  189;  9th,  150,  178;  10th,  190;  15th,  190;  26th,  189.  Infantry: 
4th,  125;  5th,  62,  121,  125,  151,  224;  7th,  62,  121,  125,  151,  171;  11th, 
223;  14th,  223;  17th,  223;  20th,  190;  21st,  223;  29th,  62,  121,  125,  151, 
177,  224;  31st,  223;  82nd,  190;  33rd,  223;  38th,  223;  40th,  160;  51st,  161; 
52nd,  223;  55th,  224;  58th,  189;  60th,  177;  61st,  224;  66th,  62,  121,  125, 
151,  169,  171,  224;  68th,  190;  69th,  223;  73rd,  224;  74th,  223;  78th,  190; 
79th,  224;  82nd,  224;  89th,  223;  92nd,  223;  94th,  223;  98th,  223;  99th, 
160;  102nd,  150;  105th,  223;  108th,  223;  113th,  223;  121st,  223;  126th, 
125. 

Pennsylvania.  Artillery:  Battery  E,  63,  121,  159,  173,  224;  Bat- 
tery F,  63,  129;  Sagebartli ’s  Battery,  189.  Infantry:  9th,  16;  28th,  62, 
121,  151,  166,  171,  177,  224;  29th,  62,  121,  150,  154,  161-8,  177,  224;  46th, 
62,  121,  224;  73rd,  224;,  79th,  223;  95th,  32,  33,  49;  96th,  20,  26,  45,  49; 
109th,  62,  121,  154,  224;  111th,  62,  121,  150,  154,  162,  177,  224;  124th, 
55,  62;  125th,  55;  128th,  62;  147th,  62,  121,  151,  171,  177,  224. 

Tennessee,  East.  Cavalry:  Fourth,  147,  151.  Garrison  of  Fort 
Bosecrans,  Murfreesborough. 

United  States  Artillery:  1st,  10,  20;  2nd,  32,  34,  49,  51;  4th,  35; 
Battery  F,  62,  77,  121,  129;  5th,  Battery  K,  51.  Cavalry:  Lincoln,  20. 

United  States  Colored  Troops.  Artillery:  2nd,  Light,  Battery  A,  189; 
Battery  B,  190;  4th,  Heavy,  189;  5th,  Heavy,  190.  Cavalry:  3rd,  189. 
Infantry:  1st,  150;  46th,  47th,  48th,  49th,  50th,  51st,  52nd,  and  53rd,  189; 
58th,  and  66th,  190. 

Wisconsin.  Artillery:  5th  Battery,  Light,  223.  Cavalry:  2nd,  189; 
Company  H,  190.  Infantry:  3rd,  62,  121,  125,  150,  179,  224;  12th,  190; 
14th,  189;  21st,  223;  22nd,  147,  151,  178,  224;  26th,  224;  31st,  224;  33rd, 
190. 


GENERAL  INDEX 

Confederates  are  distinguished  by  (C). 


Adams,  Col.  Alexander  D.,  27,  49 
Alexandria,  Va.,  17,  21,  38,  316. 

See  Washington,  defenses  of 
Ames,  General  Adelbert,  94 
Anderson,  (C)  General  B.  H.,  48 
Anderson,  Colonel  William  B.,  223 
Armies  in  North  Carolina  at  close 
of  War,  Disposition  of,  310 
Army  Corps  under  General  Slocum, 
some  temporarily:  Xllth,  54; 
Yth,  Xlth  and  Xllth,  73;  Vth, 
Vlth  and  Xllth,  101;  1st,  Illrd, 
Xlth  and  Xllth,  104;  Ilnd,  Illrd, 
Yth,  YIth,  Xlth  and  Xllth,  124; 
Ilnd  and  Xllth,  116;  XIVth, 
XYth  and  XXth,  261;  XIVth 
and  XXth,  221;  XXth,  202,  261; 
XVIIth,  189 

Army  of  the  Cumberland:  Slocum 
goes  to  in  Tennessee,  139;  goes 
to  Vicksburg  from,  186;  returns 
to  Atlanta  Campaign,  201 
Army  of  Georgia:  by  Eegiments, 
222-225;  Disbandment  of  and 
transferrence  of  its  Generals,  319 
Army  of  the  Potomac:  under  Mc- 
Clellan, 20-57;  under  Burnside, 
57-64;  under  Hooker,  65-99; 
under  Meade,  99-139;  under  Slo- 
cum, temporarily,  124 
Assessments  on  offenders  and  their 
sympathisers,  178 
Atlanta  Campaign:  Slocum’s  men 
at  Wauhatehie,  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, Missionary  Eidge,  and 
Einggold,  153-176;  Slocum  first 
to  enter  and  occupy  Atlanta,  204; 
citizens  banished  from,  207,  208; 
railway  station  scene,  217,  222; 
Atlanta  abandoned  and  de- 
stroyed, 222 

Atwell,  Captain  Charles  A.,  121 
Augusta,  Georgia,  232,  236,  255, 

260 

Ayerysboro,  N.  Carolina,  269,  300 

Badges  of  different  Army  Corps, 
70,  74,  136,  187,  220,  376 
Baird,  General  Absalom,  223,  266, 
300,  319 

Baker,  Colonel  John  J,  224 
Balloon  Service  at  Chaneellors- 
ville,  85,  86 

Barbarous  treatment  by  Confed- 
erates in  Georgia,  173,  226;  in 
Tennessee,  177-9;  in  South  Caro- 
lina, 257,  263 


Barnes,  Alfred  S.,  340 
Barnum,  Colonel  Henry  A.,  106, 
176,  224 

Barnwell,  South  Carolina,  298 
Bartlett,  Major  and  Col.  Joseph 
J.,  13,  26,  29,  32,  35,  46,  49 
Battles:  Above  the  Clouds,  159- 
167,  Map  of,  160;  Antietam, 
50-51;  Averysborogh,  271-3, 
300;  Bentonville,  274-287,  Map 
of,  285;  Bull  Eun,  14-16;  Chan- 
eellorsville,  76-93,  Map  78; 
Crampton’s  Pass,  44-49;  El- 
tham’s  Landing,  21,  22;  Gaines’ 
Mill,  26-29;  Gettysburg,  101-116, 
Slogan  of,  363;  Glendale,  30; 
Jackson,  196;  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, 159-167 ; Manassas,  39-41 ; 
Missionary  Eidge,  168,  169; 

Einggold,  170-173;  Seven  Days, 
31;  Wauhatehie,  153-155;  Bat- 
tleflags  Captured:  Chancellors- 
ville,  83;  Crampton’s  Pass,  46; 
Antietam,  52;  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, 162-164;  Einggold,  Geor- 
gia, 173,  176-7 

Beauregard,  Gen.  P.  G.  T.  (C),  237, 
260 

Beck,  Major  Frederick,  223 
Bentonville,  N.  C.,  Sunday  morn- 
ing before  the  battle,  275,  300 
Berry,  D.  F.,  telegrapher,  313 
Best,  Capt.  Clermont  L.,  77,  90, 
129 

Birney,  Gen.  G.  L.,  33,  89-92,  109 
Bishop,  Col.  Judson  W.,  223 
Black  Swamp,  S.  C.,  257 
Black  Biver,  North  Carolina,  273 
Blackville,  South  Carolina,  298 
Blair,  Jr.,  Gen.  Frank  P.,  194 
Bloodgood,  Colonel  Edward,  224 
Boggess,  Lieutenant  G.  W.,  151 
Bolton,  Captain  William  H.,  189 
Boyle,  Major  John  A.,  121 
Bradley,  Colonel  Daniel,  190 
Bragg,  Gen.  Braxton  (C),  148,  169 
Breckenridge,  Gen.  John  C.  (C) 
169,  170 

Briant,  Colonel  Cyrus  E.,  223. 
Brigham,  Colonel  Joseph  H.,  223 
Broad  Biver,  South  Carolina,  261, 
298 

Brown,  Colonel  Henry  D.,  224 
Brown,  Colonel  Henry  W.,  49 
Bryant,  Colonel  Julian  E.,  190 
Buck,  Colonel  Samuel  L.,  49 
Buckingham,  Col.  Philo  B.,  224 


384 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


Buddington,  Rev.  Wm.  Ives,  340 
Buell,  Colonel  George  P.,  222,  297, 
301,  319 

Buffalo  Creek,  North  Carolina,  268 
‘Bummers,’  227,  228 
Burdick,  Lieutenant  James,  190 
Burnside,  Gen.  A.  E.,  57,  59,  61, 
63,  64 

Burr,  Surgeon 

Burton,  Captain  James  E.,  224 
Bushwhackers  in  Tennessee,  178; 

in  Georgia,  226 
Butler,  Captain  F.  W.,  92 
Butterfield,  Gen.  D.,  85,  108,  144, 
148 

Cahill,  Colonel  James  B.,  223 
Cake,  Colonel  Henry  L.,  27,  49 
Caldwell,  Captain  Samuel,  324 
Caledonia,  North  Carolina,  307 
Callicott,  Colonel  John  A.,  190 
Campaigns:  Atlanta  - Savannah, 

the  Great  March  to  the  Sea, 
225-241;  Carolinas’  or  Savan- 
nah-Raleigh,  254-292;  Chancel- 
lorsville,  73-88;  Chattanooga- 
Atlanta,  153-176,  201-206;  Get- 
tysburg, 93-122;  Maryland,  43- 
53;  Peninsular,  21-35 
Canby,  Gen.  Edward  R.  S.,  125, 
195-7 

Candy,  Col:  Charles,  121,  151,  160-7 
Cape  Fear  River,  300 
Captures  of  Arms  and  Prisoners, 
see  Reports,  Official 
Carlin,  General  William  P.,  223, 
279,  300,  301 

Carmen,  Col.  Ezra  A.,  150,  229, 
231 

Carthage,  North  Carolina,  307 
Case,  Colonel  Henry,  224 
Casualties,  see  at  close  of  Official 
Reports 

Catawba  River,  263-4,  299 
Centerville,  Virginia,  315 
Channel,  Lieutenant  Joseph  R., 
223 

Chancellorsville,  Virginia,  75 
Chapel  Hill,  North  Carolina,  309 
Charleston’s  food  supplies  cut  off 
by  the  destruction  of  railroads, 
260-3 

Charlotte,  North  Carolina,  265 
Chartres,  Due  de,  27 
Chatfield,  Colonel  Harvey  S.,  224 
Chattahoochee  River,  Tenn.,  202 
Cheatham,  Gen.  (C)  291,  294 
Cheraw,  South  Carolina,  300 
Chesterfield,  South  Carolina,  266 


Chilesburg,  Virginia,  315 
Christian,  Colonel  William  H.,  18 
Christmas,  1864,  enjoyed  in  Sa- 
vannah, 245,  248 

Churchill,  Gen.  Thomas  J.,  (C) 

163 

Clancy,  Colonel  Charles  W.,  223 
Clay,  Captain  Hiland  H.,  224 
Clayton,  Captain  William  Z.,  190 
Cleburne,  General  Patrick  R.  (C) 

171 

Coates,  Colonel  James  H.,  189 
Cobb,  General  Howell  (C)  48 
Cobham,  Col.  George  A.,  Jr.,  121, 
150,  160-172 

Coe,  Lieutenant  Alonzo  W.,  223 
Coggswell,  Colonel  William,  121, 
150,  224,  280 

Colgrove,  Colonel  Silas,  121,  150 
Collet,  Colonel  Mark  W.,  49 
Collins,  Major  William  B.,  189 
Colston,  General  (Cj,  82 
Columbia,  S.  C.,  burned,  and  re- 
ceived donation  of  500  beef  cat- 
tle, 262;  Slocum  not  there,  298 
Confederate  Invasions,  42-52,  94- 
119,  127-133 

Confederates’  Last  Chance  de- 
feated by  Slocum,  281-7 ; night 
attack  foiled,  286;  dates  of  sur- 
renders, 329,  331 

Congaree  River,  South  Carolina,  261 
Cook,  Captain  George  W.,  223 
Coosawatehie  Swamp,  S.  C.,  257 
Corduroying  Roads,  234,  256-264, 
267-8 

Cornwall,  South  Carolina,  299 
Corse,  General  John  M.,  297-8 
Couch,  Gen.  Darius  N.,  52,  54,  76, 
77,  84,  87,  117 

Council  of  War,  at  Chaneellors- 
ville,  84;  at  Gettysburg,  108-110; 
at  Williamsport,  119 
Cox’s  Bridge,  North  Carolina,  294, 
303 

Cox,  General  Jacob  D.,  Reported 
to  Slocum,  209,  295 
Craig,  Major  John,  121,  224 
Crane,  Col.  Nirom  M.,  129;  killed, 

172 

Crane,  Col.  Alexander  B.,  224 
Crance,  Colonel,  150 
Crandall,  Col.  Frederick  M.,  189 
Crandall,  Captain  John  R.,  189 
Creighton,  Colonel  Wm.  R.,  121; 
killed,  172 

Cresson,  Major  Charles  C.,  224 
Crocker,  General  Marcellus  M.,  190 
Crosby,  Lieutenant,  killed,  91 


GENERAL  INDEX 


385 


Cunningham,  Lieut.  George  P,  190 
Currie,  Colonel  George  E.,  189,  190 
Cuyler’s  Plantation,  Georgia,  237 

Daboll,  Colonel  Henry  W.,  223 
Dahlgren,  Admiral,  243 
Dana,  General  N.  J.  T.,  201 
Dana,  Hon.  Charles  A.,  on  Gen. 
Hooker,  152-3,  155-8,  174-5,  Slo- 
cum, 195 

Dana,  General,  22 
Davis,  Gen.  Jefferson  C.,  223,  278, 
280,  298-300,  305,  316,  319 
Davidson,  General  John  W.,  323 
Davisborough,  Georgia,  233 
Dechert,  Major  Eobert  P.,  304 
Dennis,  Gen.  Elias  S.,  189,  199 
DeEussy,  Captain,  35 
Deserters  Shot,  96,  126 
Diven,  Lieutenant  E.,  92 
Dixon,  Courtland,  340 
Discharges  with  the  Eogues  March, 
120,  177 

Dodge,  Col.  Theodore  quoted,  87 
Doan,  Col.  Azariah  W.,  224 
Doan,  Colonel  Thomas,  223 
Doane,  Colonel  Elisha,  224 
Doerflinger,  Lieutenant  Charles, 
190 

Dornblaser,  Colonel  Benjamin,  189 
Downey,  Colonel,  305 
Draft  Eiots  in  New  York,  125 
Drought,  John  W.,  178 
Duer,  Major  John  O.,  190 
Dunn,  Colonel  Walter  G.,  224 
Durham  Station,  North  Carolina, 
309 

Dustin,  General  Daniel,  224,  319 

Easton,  General  Langdon  C.,  246 
Edisto  Eiver,  South,  S.  C.,  261, 
298,  N.  298 

Ege,  Captain  Page,  223 
Election,  Presidential,  208 
Ellet,  General  Alfred  W.,  189 
Ellet,  Colonel  John  A.,  189 
Elliott,  Major  Gilbert  M.,  121 
Elliott,  Major  of  U.  S.  Colored 
Troops,  150 

Elliott,  Major  Thomas,  224 
Emancipation  of  Slaves  Pro- 
claimed to  the  Armies,  53 
Engineers,-  1st  Michigan,  222 
Este,  Colonel  George  P.,  223 
Ewell,  General  E.  S.  (C),  106,  129 
Ewing,  General  Charles,  323 

Fahnestock,  Colonel  Allen  L.,  223 
Fairfax  Court  House,  Va.,  60-64 
25 


Fairfax  Station,  Virginia,  316 
Fayetteville,  N.  C.,  occupied,  260- 
6;  Again  Supply  Boats  from  the 
Sea  at,  269;  294,  300 
Fearing,  Gen.  Benjamin  D.,  223, 
279,  281,  319 

Findley,  Major  Eobert  P.,  223 
Fisher,  Major  Joseph,  223 
Fitch,  Colonel  William  T.,  121 
Fitch,  Colonel  Michael  H.,  223 
Fitzgibbon,  Major  Thomas  C.,  223 
Flinn,  Captain  John,  121 
Flynn,  Colonel  John,  222,  243 
Fog  in  Georgia,  234 
Foley,  Private  James  W.,  179 
Foraging  good  thruout  Georgia, 
211-13,  227,  232-235.  Short  in 
the  Carolinas,  260,  269 
Foraker,  Captain  Joseph  B..  288, 
304,  318 

Force,  General  Manning  F.,  190,  323 
Forrest,  General  Nathan  B.  (C), 
185,  209 

Forts  and  Fortifications,  Union: 
Fort  Jackson,  Savannah,  243; 
Marietta,  151;  Natchez,  Miss., 
189;  Eoseerans,  Tennessee,  141; 
Slocum,  Washington,  D.  C.,  3; 
Slocum,  New  York,  374;  Vicks- 
burg, Miss.,  189. 

Confederate:  Atlanta,  206; 

Antietam,  270-1;  Bentonville, 
278;  Ebenezer  Church,  Ga.,  237; 
Lawtonville,  S.  C.,  298;  Lookout 
Mountain,  163-168;  Millen,  Ga., 
234;  Salkahatehie,  S.  C.,  259; 
Savannah,  238 
Foster,  General  John  G.,  255 
Fox,  Major  Benton  D.,  223 
Fox,  Captain  Charles  J.,  224 
Fox,  Colonel  William  F.,  74,  82 
Franklin,  General  William  B.,  17, 
47,  50,  59 

Fredericksburg,  Va.,  316 
Freedman’s  Bureau,  325 
French,  General  William  H.,  98, 119 
Frohoek,  Colonel  William  T.,  190 
Fry,  Colonel  John  C.,  190 

Gardner,  Major,  33 
Garfield,  General  James  A.,  144 
Garrett,  Captain  John,  224 
Gary,  Captain  Marco  B.,  224 
Geary,  Lieutenant  E.  E.,  155 
Geary,  Gen.  John  W.,  56,  83,  89, 
90,"  121,  147,  153-5,  159,  173,  179, 
204,  224,  234,  243,  255,  290,  296, 
298,  318 


386 


MAJOR-GE.XEBAL  SLOCUM 


Georgia:  Army  of  by  Regiments, 
222-224;  placed  on  proper  rec- 
ord, 296.  Planters  ordered  to 
destroy  food  to  starve  Union 
Armies,  232.  Union  men  in,  247 
Gettysburg,  Pa.:  Battle  of,  101- 
116.  Map  of  Battle-field,  103. 
Pursuit  of  Enemy  from,  130. 
View  of  Culp ’s  Hill,  114 
Gibbon,  General  John,  108,  109 
Gilbert,  Captain  Charles  M.,  223 
Gilbert,  Colonel  H.  C.,  147-151 
Gilchrist,  Colonel  Charles  A.,  189 
Gimber,  Captain  F.  L.,  150 
Gleason,  Colonel  Newell,  223 
Glenn,  Colonel  William  H.,  223 
Godard,  Colonel  Abel,  106,  121,  151 
Goodman,  Dr.  H.  E.,  305 
Gordon,  General  James  B.,  122 
Gosline,  Colonel,  33 
Granger,  General  R.  S.,  144 
Grant,  General  U.  S.,  Change  of 
Mind,  182-3,  194-5.  Fears  re- 
garding the  March  to  the  Sea, 
210,  211,  296 

Greene,  General,  106,  112,  121, 

150-4;  wounded,  154,  319 
Greene,  General  Nathaniel,  1 
Greene,  Colonel  Oliver  D.,  51 
190 

Gregory,  Lieutenant  James  M.,  190 
Gresham,  General  Walter  Q.,  190 
Griffith,  Major  Patrick,  224 
Grimes,  Colonel  John,  121 
Grose,  General,  163 
Grumbach,  Major  Nicholas,  224 
Guerrillas,  177-9,  193,  226,  263 
Guindon,  Colonel  Eugene  W.,  36, 
92,  94,  192,  202,  316,  323 

Iiambright,  Colonel  Henry  A.,  223 
Hammerstein,  Colonel  Herbert  von, 
106,  121,  151 

Hammond,  Colonel  Edwin  P.,  223 
Hampton,  Captain,  91,  92 
Hampton,  General  Wade  (C),  260, 
294,  307 

Hancock,  General  Winfield  S.,  77, 
108-9 

Hanover  Court  House,  Va.,  315 
Hapeman,  Colonel  Douglas,  223 
Harbert,  Lieutenant,  22 
Hardee,  Gen.  William  J.  (C),  171, 
203,  237,  246,  260,  266,  284,  291, 
294,  240-3 

Hardeeville,  South  Carolina,  297 
Harper’s  Ferry,  Virginia,  54,  55 
Harris,  Major  Frederick  H.,  224 
Harrison,  Benjamin,  204,  318 
Hatch,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  33 


Hatfield,  Major,  33 
Hawkins,  General  John  P.,  189 
Hawley,  Colonel  William,  121,  150, 
224,  300 

Hays,  General  William,  119,  126 
Heath,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  33 
Heintzelman,  Gen.  S.  P.,  24,  35 
Henderson,  Colonel,  150 
Hewett,  Captain,  150 
Hexamer,  Capt.  William,  32,  49,  51 
Hicks,  Captain  Lewis  E.,  223 
Hill,  General  A.  P.  (C),  30,  59 
Hill,  Gen.  David  H.  (C),  57,  59 
Hinson,  Captain  Joesph,  223 
Historic  Field  Orders,  218-220 
Hobart,  Gen.  Harrison  C.,  223,  319 
Hoke,  Gen.  Robert  F.  (C),  294 
Hood,  Gen.  John  B.  (C),  201,  203, 
206,  217,  241,  260,  292,  294 
Hooker,  Gen.  Joseph,  59,  65,  73, 
75-94,  99,  148,  155,  156,  165 
Hopkins,  Captain,  22 
Hopkins,  Lieut. -Col.  W.  R.,  92 
Horses,  Scarcity  of,  40,  54;  dis- 
ease with  great  mortality 
among,  53 

Horses  and  Mules  Captured  on  the 
March  to  the  Sea,  252 
Hospitals,  Field  preferred,  208 
Houghtaling,  Maj.  Charles,  147, 
151,  223 

Howard,  Gen.  Oliver  O.,  60,  73, 
84,  95,  109,  112,  119,  123;  on 
Meade ’s  faulty  report  of  Gettys- 
burg, 134,  158,  218,  221,  245 
Howe,  Colonel  John  H.,  189 
Howgate,  Lieutenant  H.  W.,  304 
Howland,  Col,  Joseph,  27,  29 
Hubbs,  Major,  33 
Hughes,  Col.  Samuel  T.,  222 
Humphrey,  Col.  Thomas  W.,  189 
Hunt,  General  Henry  J.,  112 
Hunter,  Colonel  Morton  C.,  223 
Hurst,  Colonel  Samuel  H.,  224 
Hutchins,  Colonel  Rue  P.,  223 
Hutchinson,  Dr.  James  C.,  340 

Ireland,  Colonel  David,  106,  121, 
151,  160,  164-5,  168,  173,  174 

Jackson,  Colonel  Allen  H.,  224 
Jackson,  Colonel  Ezra  P.,  189 
Jackson,  General  Nathaniel  J.,  26, 
33,  49,  92,  223,  297,  300 
Jackson,  Gen.  Thomas  J.  (Stone- 
wall; C),  25,  39,  79,  108 
Jaeksonborough,  Georgia,  236 
Jacobs,  Private  George  W.,  179 
James  River,  Va.,  25,  31,  313 
Jessup,  Captain  Alexander  S.,  189 


GENERAL  INDEX 


387 


Johnson,  President  Andrew,  324-5 
Johnson,  General  Edward  (C),  100 
Johnson,  General  Eiehard  W.,  169 
Johnston,  General  Joseph  E.  (C), 
186,  201,  241,  287,  290-2,  301, 
306-8,  310 

Jones,  Colonel  John  J.,  189 
Jones,  Colonel  Charles  C.,  189 
Jones,  Henry  R.,  340 
Jones,  Colonel  Patrick  H.,  224 
Jones,  Captain  Toland,  223 
Jones,  Colonel  William,  190 
Journey  to  Tennessee,  141-144 
Justin,  Lieutenant  William,  190 

Kane,  General,  89 
Kearney,  General  Philip,  30,  35 
Kellams,  Capt.  Gideon  R.,  223 
Kemble,  Surgeon  George  S.,  192 
Ketcham,  Colonel  John  EL,  121, 
150,  179,  224 
Keyes,  General  E.  D.,  24 
Kilpatrick,  General  Judson,  218- 
221,  270,  297 

Kinzie,  Lieutenant  David  H.,  121 
Kirkup,  Colonel  Robert,  224 
Knapp,  Captain,  159,  174 
Knipe,  General  Joseph  F.,  74,  118, 
121,  179 

Landgraeber,  Lieutenant,  174 
Landis,  Captain  James  EL,  324 
Landon,  Lieutenant,  22 
Lane,  Colonel,  151 
Langley,  Col.  James  W.,  223 
Lawtonville,  South  Carolina,  298 
Lee,  General  Fitzhugh  (C),  61 
Lee,  General  Robert  E.  (C),  52, 
55,  61,  64,  305,  306 
Lee,  General  Stephen  D.  (C),  188 
Leggett,  Gen.  Mortimer  D.,  190 
Lemon,  Major  George  F.,  49 
Le  Sage,  Colonel  John  B.,  224 
Lieb,  Colonel  Herman,  189,  192 
Lincoln,  President  Abraham,  36, 
42,  49,  53,  308 
Litchfield,  Colonel,  279 
Locher,  Major  Michael  H.,  223 
Locke,  Captain  Frederick  T.,  34 
Lockman,  Colonel  John  T.,  224 
Lockwood,  General  H.  H.,  121 
Logan,  General  John  A.,  190,  289, 
316 

Longstreet,  General  James  (C),  30 
Louisville,  Georgia,  232 
Low,  Captain  James  H.,  223 
Lowe,  T.  S.  C.,  Balloonist,  85,  86 
Lowell,  Jr.,  Col.  Charles,  98 
Ludlow,  Lieutenant  William,  246 
Lumber  River,  N.  C.,  265,  268 


Lumm,  Colonel  James  M.,  223 
Lynch  River,  N.  C.,  265,  266,  299 

McCall,  Gen.  George  A.,  30,  35 
McClanahan,  Col.  John  W.,  190 
McClellan,  General  George  B.,  20, 
34,  37,  42,  43,  49,  50,  52,  54,  57 
McClurg,  Gen.  Alex’r  C.,  278,  319 
MeCole,  Major  Cyrus  J.,  223 
McDougall,  Col.  Archibald  L.,  121 
McDowell,  Captain  R.  M.,  305 
McGill,  Lieutenant,  159 
McGowan,  General  (C),  82 
McKee,  Major  George  C.,  189 
McKnight,  Lieut.  Joseph,  223 
McLaughlin,  Capt.  James  R.,  223 
McLaws,  General  (C),  48,  81 
McMahan,  Col.  Arnold,  223 
McNaughton,  Lieut.  Harlow  P„  189 
McNulty,  Surgeon,  92 
McPherson,  General  James  D.,  183, 
185,  194 

McVicar,  Colonel,  89 

Mackey,  Captain  W.  J.,  147 
Mahone,  General  (C),  48 
Maltby,  Gen.  Jasper  A.,  189 
Maney,  Gen.  George  (C),  164 
Manning,  General,  323 
March  to  the  Sea,  207,  215-224, 
237 

March,  Mud,  61,  63,  64 
Marsh,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  33 
Martin,  Colonel  Joel  O.,  223 
Matheny,  Colonel  John  M.,  223 
Matheson,  Col.  Roderick,  49 
Matthaeli,  Captain  John  L.,  190 
Maurice,  Gen.  Thomas  D.,  190 
Meade,  General  George  G.,  73-75, 
99,  119,  131-136,  316 
Medical  Attention,  19,  20,  37 
Merrell,  Captain  William,  224 
Miles,  Colonel  David,  223 
Miller,  Capt.  J.  Warren,  323 
Milward,  Col.  Hubbard  K.,  223 
Mindil,  Colonel  George  W.,  224 
Mississippi  Miltia,  325 
Mitchell,  General  J.  G.,  281-6,  319 
Mong,  Lieutenant  William  J.,  190 
Moore,  Colonel  Albert,  223  . 

Moore,  Col.  Jonathan  B.,  190 
Morgan,  General  James  D.,  223, 
279,  281-284,  290,  300-302,  319 
Morgan,  Colonel  Thomas,  223 
Morton,  Colonel  Quin,  223 
Morse,  Captain  C.  F.,  92 
Moseley,  Major  William  W,  92, 
179,  202,  222,  304,  323 
Moseley,  Lieutenant  (C),  184-5 
Mower,  General  Joseph  A.,  319 


388 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


Muhlenberg  Lieut.  Edward  D.,  121 
Mumford,  Major  Horace  P.,  189 
Munitions  of  War  Destroyed;  at 
Atlanta,  204;  at  Milledgeville, 
230;  at  Savannah,  244;  at  Fay- 
etteville, 266 

Music:  in  Tennessee,  181;  in  At- 
lanta, 206,  226;  in  Milledgeville, 
229;  in  Winnboro,  262;  at  Ben- 
tonville,  275 

Mustering  out  of  Service,  318,  319 
Myers,  Colonel  George  R.,  49 

Hale,  Colonel  John  H.,  190 
Nashville  and  Chattanooga  Rail- 
road Guarded,  145-151,  178-185 
Negroes:  186,  188,  193,  217,  220, 
253,  269,  324,  325,  327»  Preach- 
ers, 246.  Troops,  189-191,  194. 
195,  324,  326 
Neill,  General,  129 
Neuse  River,  N.  C.,  295,  306,  311 
Newkirk,  Lieut.  Edward  P.,  224 
Newspapers,  Confederate:  212, 
227,  229.  Union:  214,  222 
Newton,  Gen.  John,  22,  32,  49,  109 

O’Hara,  Captain  Thomas,  189 
Orcutt,  Newell  E.,  178 
Osband,  Col.  Embury  D.,  189 
Osborne,  Lieut.  Richard,  190 
Osterhaus,  Gen.  Peter  J.,  323 
Oxford,  Virginia,  315 

Packer,  Col.  Warren  F.,  121  . 
Palmer,  Col.  Theodorie  R.,  223 
Pardee,  Colonel  Ario,  224 
Pearce,  Colonel  John  S.,  223 
Pearson,  Colonel  Robert  N.,  190 
Peats,  Major  Prank  F.,  189 
Pedee  River,  S.  C.,  265,  267,  300 
Pepper,  Rev.  George  W.,  245 
Perkins,  Col.  George  T.,  223 
Perkins,  Colonel  H.  W.,  202 
Pets,  Animal,  228 
Pinto,  Colonel  Francis  E.,  49 
Platt,  Captain  E.  R.,  35 
Pleasonton,  Gen.  Alfred,  73,  74, 
77,  79,  92,  94,  119 

Plundering  by  Confederates,  243, 
307 

Poe,  Captain,  Engineer,  217,  231, 
248 

Pontoniers,  222,  225,  237 
Porter,  Captain  Josiah,  22,  49 
Porter,  Gen.  Fitz  John,  22,  27,  32, 
55,  338 

Potts,  Colonel  Benjamin  F.,  190 
Powell,  Col.  Eugene,  121,  159,  224 
Powers,  Colonel  Edwin  H.,  224 


Pratt,  Colonel  Calvin  E,  30,  33 
Preston,  Colonel  Simon  M.,  190 
Price,  Colonel  Edward  L.,  121 
Prison  Pen  at  Millen,  Ga.,  233 
Property  Destroyed  at  Atlanta, 
204;  Milledgeville,  230;  Savan- 
nah, 243,  244;  Columbia,  262; 
Fayetteville,  266 

Purdy,  Captain  E.  Spencer,  22.  36 
Purysburg,  South  Carolina,  297 
Putnam,  Captain  James  F.,  189 

Railroad  Destruction  along  the 
Great  March  to  the  Sea,  226-7, 
230-1,  234-7,  248,  260-267,  298, 
299 

Randall,  Colonel  C.  B.,  151 
Randolph,  Captain,  35 
Ranney,  Captain  Robert,  189 
Refugees  unloaded,  269 
Reports  of  Commands,  16,  20,  23, 
25,  49,  51,  56,  57,  62,  65,  66,  71, 
94,  121,  123,  147,  157,  174,  182, 
189-192,  204,  208,  215;  Army  of 
Georgia,  222-225,  248,  249;  at 
Goldsboro,  N.  C.,  305 
Reports,  Official,  of  Battles:  El- 
tham  Landing,  22;  Peninsular, 
32-36;  Crampton’s  Pass,  45-47; 
Antietam,  51;  Chancellorsville, 
88-93;  Gettysburg,  127-136;  At- 
lanta-Savannah,  249-253;  Savan- 
nah to  Goldsboro,  296-304 
Review,  The  Grand,  at  the  Close 
of  the  War,  Washington,  D.  C., 
317 

Reynolds,  Major  John  A.,  159,  172, 
224,  305 

Reynolds,  Gen.  John  F.,  84,  96, 
98,  101 

Rhodes,  Major  Hinman,  190 
Richards,  Col.  Wm.  Jr.,  121,  150 
Rider,  Major  Robert  G.,  223 
Risdon,  Col.  Orlando  C.,  189 
Roanoke  River,  N.  C.,  312 
Robertsville,  S.  C.,  257,  297 
Robinson,  Major  Aaron  B.,  223 
Robinson,  Col.  James  S.,  224,  231, 
279,  302 

Rochester,  Capt.  Montgomery,  307 
Roekfish  Creek,  S.  C.,  268 
Rockingham,  N.  C.,  265 
Roddy,  Gen.  Philip  D.,  (C),  144 
Rodgers,  Colonel  H.  C.,  22,  92,  222 
Rodgers,  Capt.  Wm.  F.,  190 
Rogers,  Col.  Andrew  W.,  189 
Rogers,  Colonel  James  C.,  224 
Rolshausen,  Maj.  Feridnand  H.,  224 
Rosecrans,  Gen.  Wm.  S.,  144,  152 
Ross,  Colonel  Samuel,  121,  224 


GENERAL  INDEX 


389 


Buger,  General  Thomas  H.,  74, 

121,  202,  216 
Byerson,  Major,  33 

Sahm,  Lieutenant,  159 
Salkehatehie  Eiver  and  Swamp, 
South  Carolina,  259 
Saluda  Eiver,  S.  C.,  261,  298 
Sanderson,  Col.  William  L.,  190 
Sandersville,  Georgia,  232 
Schoonover,  Capt.  Jonas,  224 
Schurz,  General  Carl,  307,  311,  324, 
325 

Scofield,  Colonel  Hiram,  189 
Scott,  Col.  Eobert  K.,  92,  190 
Scott,  General  Winfield,  16 
Seaton,  Captain,  150 
Seaver,  Colonel  Joel  J.,  49 
Sedgewick,  General  John,  119 
Seibert,  Colonel  J J,  119,  147 
Selfridge,  Col.  James  L.,  121,  223, 
301 

Semmes,  Gen.  Paul  J.  (C),  48 
Seymour,  Captain  Ira  B.,  245 
Shannon,  Lieutenant,  36 
Sharkey,  Gov.  William  L.,  325 
Shenandoah  Valley,  57,  58,  59 
Shepard,  General  Isaac  F.,  189 
Sherman,  Gen.  William  T., 
Letters  to  Slocum,  199,  203,  209, 
214,  326,  331,  334,  336 
Showers,  Col.  Benjamin  H.,  223 
Sickles,  Gen.  Daniel  E.,  78-81,  84, 
108 

Signal  and  Cipher  Telegraph  Ser- 
vice, 52,  55,  85-6,  96,  123,  138, 
218 

Sill,  Colonel  Allen  N.,  224 
Simpson,  Colonel  J.  H.,  32,  33 
Sims,  Captain,  152 
Sisters’  Ferry,  South  Carolina,  256 
Slaves,  Emancipation  of,  Pro- 
claimed, 324 

Sloan,  Captain  Thomas  S.,  224 
Slocum,  Colonel  John  O.,  5,  6 

Slocum,  Colonel  John  S.,  3 

Slocum,  Colonel  Paul  Enos,  3 

Slocum,  General  Willard,  4 

Slocum,  William  Neill,  7 
Slocum,  Major-General  Henry 
Warner:  Birth  and  lineage  of, 
4-6;  education,  6-10;  officer  in  U. 
S.  Army,  10;  lawyer,  11;  State 
Legislator,  12;  instructor  of 
State  Militia  as  Colonel,  13; 
Volunteers  in  Civil  War  and 
Commands  27th  N.  Y.  Eegi- 
ment,  13;  in  Battle  of  Bull  Eun 
and  Wounded,  14;  Commissioned 
Brigadier-General  and  Com- 


mands brigade,  doing  advance 
work,  16;  imprisons  his  officers, 
18;  works  in  harmony  with 
medical  officers,  19;  his  bri- 
gade, 20;  goes  on  the  Peninsu- 
lar Campaign,  21-31;  a strict 
disciplinarian,  19;  commands  a 
division,  23. 

See  General  Index  under  titles 
of  Army  Corps,  Battles,  Com- 
mands, Campaigns,  Eeports, 
Troops  by  Eegiments  and  Bat- 
teries from  different  States  in 
the  Appendix,  and  Contents 
Commissioned  Major-General,  36 
Active  on  moral  questions,  340; 
prohibits  gambling,  248;  general 
alertness  of,  242 
Business  successes,  339,  359 
Character  and  description  of, 
292-3 

Civil  War  Service  one  of  the 
longest  and  most  equable,  327; 
wide  range  of  commands,  328 
Discipline  of,  18,  96,  120,  126, 
138,  177,  191-5,  311-12,  319 
Letters  to  Sherman,  326,  333, 
335.  From  Sherman,  326,  331, 
334,  336.  Sherman’s  opinion  of, 
249 

Eesignations  offered,  140, 148-9, 
182-4,  final,  327 
Testimonials  following  de- 
cease, 344 

Slogan  for  every  person,  115,  116 
Smith,  Major  Alfred  B.,  224 
Smith,  Col.,  Franklin  C.,  224 
Smith,  Col.  Eobert  F.,  223 
Smith,  Gen.  Thomas  Killey,  190 
Smith,  Gen.  William  F.,  33,  117 
Smithfield,  N.  Carolina,  294,  306 
Sneedsboro,  N.  C.,  267,  299,  300 
Snodgrass,  Capt.  William  H.,  223 
Social  Amenities:  in  Tennessee, 
185;  Atlanta,  205;  Savannah, 
246;  Winnsboro,  263-3;  Ealeigh, 
307 

Soldiers,  Negro,  enlisted  as  U.  S., 
number  of  326 

Soldiers  ’ and  Sailors  ’ Horne,  Bath, 
New  York,  338 

Soldiers,  Veteran,  226,  245,  259 
Spear,  Captain  Edmund,  190 
Speculators  driven  from  Vicksburg, 
191;  from  Savannah,  247 
Spencer,  Colonel  George  E.,  222 
Spicer,  Col.  Newell  W.,  190 
Spicer,  Captain  Silas,  245 
Springfield,  South  Carolina,  256 
Stackhouse,  Capt.  William  P.,  223 


390 


MAJOR-GENERAL  SLOCUM 


Stafford  Court  House,  Va.,  65 
Stainrock,  Colonel,  92 
Starling,  Colonel  F.  A.,  189 
Steedman,  Gen.  James  B.,  221 
Stegman,  Col.  Lewis  R.,  106 
Stephens,  Major,  147 
Stephens,  Lieut.  Jerome  B.,  224 
Stephens,  Colonel  Thomas,  189 
Steuart,  Gen.  George  H.  (C),  107 
Stevenson,  Gen.  Carter  L.  (C),  164 
Stockton,  Col.  Joseph,  189 
Stone,  Captain  Michael,  223 
Stoneman,  Gen.  George,  73 
Stuart,  Gen.  J.  E.  B.  (C),  40,  52, 
57  74  94 

Sturdevant,  Col.  S.  H.,  22,  92,  192, 
246 

Sudsburg,  Col.  Joseph  M.,  121 
Sullivan,  Lieutenant  John,  190 
Sumner,  General  E.  V.,  24,  59 
Sykes,  Gen.  George,  23,  77,  109, 
119 

Symmes,  Maj.  Henry  E.,  121 

Taylor,  Gen.  G.  W.,  30,  32,  35,  39 
Thanksgiving  in  Georgia,  233 
Tennessee,  Slocum  Transferred  to, 
139 

Tennille,  Georgia,  233 
Thickstun,  Captain  I.,  92 
Thomas,  Gen.  George  IL,  144,  152 
Thompson,  Col.  David,  150,  224 
Thornburgh,  Col.  J.  M.,  151 
Thorne,  Capt.  Platt  M.,  304,  305 
Tierney er,  Lieut.  John  H.,  189 
Topping,  Col.  E.  Hibbard,  223 
Torbert,  Colonel  T.  A.,  40;  45,  49 
Torpedoes  at  Savannah,  246;  in 
South  Carolina  road,  256 
Town,  Col.  Gsutavus  W.,  4y 
Tracy,  Maj.  William  G.,  92,  192, 
222,  288,  304,  323 
Tucker,  Colonel,  33 
Tullis,  Colonel  James,  190 
Tuttle,  General  James  M.,  190 
Tyrrell’s  Mount,  N.  C.,  309 

Unionists  gain  information  from 
prisoners,  214 

United  States’  Domain,  Value  of, 
232 

Upton,  Captain  Emery,  32,  49,  51 
Utley,  Colonel  W.  L.,  147,  151 

Vance,  Gov.  Zebulon  B.,  306 
Vanderver,  Gen.  William,  281,  319 
Van  Voorhees,  Col.  Koert  S.,  224 
Van  Voorhees,  Col.  Robert  S.,  121 
Vernon,  Colonel  Maris  R.,  223 
Veteran  Soldiers,  226,  245,  259 


Vicksburg  Home  Guards,  188 
Wadsworth,  Gen.  James  S.,  119,  129 
Walcutt,  General  C.  C.,  319 
Walker,  Col.  Thomas  M.,  121,  150, 
224 

Walker,  Gen.  William  H.  T.  (C), 
164 

Wallace,  Col.  Martin  M.  R.,  190 
Walling,  Captain  Daniel  E.,  189 
Walthall,  Gen.  E.  C.  (C),  162 
Ward,  Col.  Lyman  M.,  189 
Ward,  Gen.  William  T.,  224,  300, 
319 

Warner,  Major  Lewis  D.,  224 
Warren,  General  G.  K.,  108,  126 
Washburn,  Gen.  Cadwallader  C., 
194 

Washington,  Defenses  of:  Chain 
of  forts  and  batteries  surround- 
ing the  city,  among  which  on 
the  north  -was  Fort  Slocum 
named  in  honor  of  Colonel  John 
Stanton  Slocum  who  was  killed 
at  Bull  Run  in  1861;  also  in- 
trenehments  and  fortifications 
in  different  lines.  Moving  troops 
guarded  every  approach,  see 
pages  14,  18,  19,  20,  25,  37,  39, 
42,  55-64,  66-68,  93-108,  116 
Washington,  Triumphal  Return  to, 
and  Grand  Review  after  the 
Close  of  the  War,  317 
Wateree  River,  S.  Carolina,  263 
Watkins,  Col.  Hezekiah,  224 
Waynesboro,  Georgia,  236 
Wead,  Lieutenant,  36 
Weaver,  Colonel  J.  B.,  184 
Webber,  Col.  A.  Watson,  189 
Welles,  Colonel  George  E.,  190 
West,  Colonel  Francis  H.,  224 
Westervelt,  Private  Wm.  B.,  26 
Wheeler,  Gen.  Joseph  (C),  144, 

145,  231,  232,  236,  245;  Barbar- 
ity of  His  Cavalry,  257,  260,  284; 
Pillaging  of  His  Cavalry,  307 
Whipple,  General  A.  W.,  56 
Whitaker,  General  W.  C.,  159 
Whittelsey,  Col.  Henry  M.,  305,  334 
Wickes,  Captain,  150 
Wiles,  Col.  Greenberry  F.,  190 
Wilkinson,  Capt.  Wm.  T.,  189 
Williams,  General  Alpheus  S.,  54, 
56,  73,  87,  90,  91,  108,  109,  121, 
146-7,  152,  201,  204,  223,  278,  297, 
300,  302,  305,  319 
Williams,  Major  S.,  18 
Williamson,  Gen.  James  A.,  158 
Williston,  Lieut.  Edward  B.,  49,  51 
Wilmington,  1ST.  Carolina,  269,  295 
Wilson,  Captain  DeWitt  C.,  189 


GENERAL  INDEX 


391 


Winegar,  Capt.  Charles  E.,  121, 

224 

Winkler,  Col.  Frederick  C.,  224 
Winnsboro,  S.  C.,  262,  298-9 
Wolcott,  Cajotain  John.  W.,  49 
Wood,  Colonel  William  T.,  189 
Woodbury,  Capt.  John  D.,  121 
Woodford,  Gen.  Stewart  L.,  340 
Woods,  Gen.  Charles  A.,  158 
Woods,  Col.  William  B.,  243 
Wright,  Major  Myron  T.,  224 


Wounded  and  Sick  at  Close  of 
Carolinas  Campaign,  305 

Yates,  Col.  John  B.,  222,  298 
York,  Captain  H.  B.,  150 
Yost,  Capt.  Theobold  D.,  j.89 
Young,  Capt.  Jeremiah  F.,  189 
Young,  Colonel  Van  E.,  189 

Ziegler,  Colonel  George  M.,  189 
Zulich,  Colonel  George  M.,  189 


Date  Due 


